Fact! Gor Mahia have been crowned the champions of the Kenya Premier League for the third time in a row despite having two matches at hand.
Among the players who helped K’Ogalo win the title are three Ugandans; Erisa Ssekisambu, Shafiq Batambuze and Hashim Ssempala, who have played a vital role at Gor this season.
For instance, on 16th January 2019, Erisa Ssekisambu scored a hat-trick in Gor’s 4-1 win over Mt Kenya United. Shafiq Batambuze has also helped tighten Gor Mahia’s midfield.
Despite the three Ugandans superb performance at K’Ogalo, they failed to make it to Uganda Cranes provisional squad that will feature in the AFCON competition.
Here is the list of Uganda Cranes squad that was named by head coach Sebastian Desabre;
Goalkeepers:
Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns-South Africa), Jamal Salim (Al Hilal-Sudan), Robert Odongkara (Adama City FC-Ethiopia), Charles Lukwago (KCCA FC-Uganda).
Defenders:
Bevis Mugabi (Yeovil Town- England), Nicholas Wadada (Azam FC-Tanzania), Awanyi Timothy (KCCA FC-Uganda), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Unattached), Ronald Mukiibi (Ostersunds-Sweden), Murushid Juuko (Simba-Tanzania), Godfrey Walsumbi (Unattached), Muleme Isaac ( FK Viktoria Zizkov- Czech Republic), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe-DR Congo).
Midfielders:
Tadeo Lwanga (Vipers SC-Uganda), Khalid Aucho (Church Hill Brothers Fc-India), Kirizestom Ntambi- Coffee FC –Ethiopia), Michael Azira (Montreal-USA), Waiswa Moses (Vipers SC-Uganda), Sadam Juma (KCCA FC-Uganda), Faruku Miya (HNK Gorica FC- Croatia), Kizito Luwagga (Shakhter Karagandy-Kazakhstan), Kateregga Allan ( Maritzburg-South Africa), Emmanuel Okwi (Simba SC – Tanzania)
Strikers:
Patrick Kaddu (KCCA FC-Uganda), Allan Kyambadde (KCCA FC-Uganda), Alexis Bakka (Carlstad United- Sweden), Nsibambi Derrick (Smouha- Egypt), Emmanuel Okwi (Simba SC- Tanzania), Abdul Lumala (Syrianska- Egypt)
The question that remains is; should coach Sebastian Desabre rethink about his choice and include the three Kenya Premier League winners?
Do you think the Erisa Ssekisambu, Shafiq Batambuze and Hashim Ssempala deserve to be in Uganda Crane provisional squad?