AFCON 2019: Five Uganda Cranes players to watch

Uganda Cranes head to Egypt looking to come out what is visibly a tough group A. The team has been pooled against hosts, Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo and giant slayers, Zimbabwe.

The team did not make it out of the group stage during the 2017 edition that was staged in Gabon and coach Sebastien Desabre will be keen on achieving what his predecessor Milutin Sredojević failed to.

Opera News looks at some of the key players that Cranes and Uganda supporters will be banking on in Egypt during the biannual premier African competition.

Dennis Onyango

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Many argue that he is the best keeper in the continent. The Mamelodi Sundowns man will captain the team and most of his teammates will be seeking inspiration from him. The shot-stopper has played in the top level for many years and has proved to be a safe pair of hands over the years.

Onyango, who was named African player of the year based in the continent has hinted that this could be his last assignment with the national team as he plans to focus on his club career.

“I think this is my last Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in front of the home fans at Namboole. Even if I leave, I am confident that there are good replacements who will do the job,” Onyango said after his side’s 1-0 win over Cape Verde at Namboole Stadium last November.

Khalid Aucho

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The defensive midfielder has been a cog in Cranes midfield over the years. Now with Churchill Brothers in the Indian Premier League, Aucho remains a key player for coach Desabre.

His combative style of play, passing and work ethic makes him an integral part of Cranes’ set-up. He is also one of the senior players in Cranes squad and he will be expected to lead by example in Egypt.

He was part of the 2017 Uganda Afcon squad and featured in all group matches before Cranes crashed out of the tournament after managing to pick just one point out of the possible nine.

Farouk Miya

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The HNK Gorica attacking midfielder will be another key player to keep an eye on in Egypt. He was Uganda’s top scorer during the qualification phase after finding the back of the net three times and coach Desabre will once again be banking on his goal-scoring instincts in Egypt.

The former Vipers SC man has a good work ethic and speed. Despite being among the youngest in the squad, he has become a key member of the team and his ability to unlock defences and ghost past defenders with will be key if Uganda is to perform in Egypt.

He was part of Cranes’ 2017 Afcon squad in Gabon and scored their only goal of the tournament in the one-all draw against Mali.

Patrick Kaddu

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The 23-year old KCCA man will be making his first appearance in a major tournament. He scored one goal during the qualification stage against Cape Verde at Namboole Stadium.

He is a clinical forward and an aerial threat. He is unlikely to a starter in the tournament but is one coach Desabre can summon from the bench in case he needs a game changer upfront.

Emmanuel Okwi

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He is the most experienced of the forwards and the Simba SC man is aging like fine wine. He scored two great goals during the qualifiers against Lesotho and he is the man Desabre will task with leading his forward line.

Okwi is quick and can dribble past defenders easily. His positioning and aerial threat is another thing that makes his defenders’ nightmare.

He not only scores goals but also creates them as was evident during the just concluded Tanzanian Premier League season where he set up numerous goals for his attack partners, John Bocco and Meddie Kagere.

He was part of Simba’s squad that reached the Caf Champions League quarter final stage during the 2018/19 season and his experience will come in handy for Cranes.

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