Foreign legion dominate as Micho names Uganda's Cranes provisional squad for 2023 AFCON Qualifier against Niger

Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic has named the provisional squad set to kick start preparations ahead of their last 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying match against Niger

The squad summoned by the coach is composed of 33 players and will enter residential camp at Cranes Paradise Hotel, Kisasi starting Monday, 28th August 2023

Out of the 33, the majority of the players are foreign-based with just eight plying their trade within the country.

Gor Mahia's forward Patrick Kaddu has not been included in the provisional list with only one of the four strikers called based in Africa.

Cranes are third in Group F with three points and will be banking on a win and pray that Algeria pick a seemingly routine win over Tanzania to help them qualify on goal difference.

Tanzania are second in the group with 7 points after five rounds, behind perfect Algeria who have already booked their slot.

However, a win for Uganda and a defeat for Tanzania could see Uganda progress on goal difference depending on the magnitude of either of the results in the two games.

The match is set to be played on 7 September 2023 at the Grand Stade Marrakech in Morocco.

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Uganda Cranes Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers

Watenga Isima (Golden Arrows FC, South Africa), Magoola Salim Omar (Richards Bay FC, South Africa), Lukwago Charles (Unattached), Alionzi Nafian (Unattached), Mutakubwa Joel (BUL FC, Uganda)

Defenders

Semakula Kenneth (SC Villa, Uganda), Begisa James (URA FC, Uganda), Muleme Isaac (Viktoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), Awany Timothy (SC Ashdod, Israel), Lwaliwa Halidi (FK Bregalnica Stip, North Macedonia), Gift Fred (Yanga SC, Tanzania), Mugabi Bevis (Motherwell FC, Scotland), Musa Ramathan (VFK Vyskov, Czech Republic), Wasswa Geofrey (Ethiopian Buna SC, Ethiopia), Bwomono Elvis (IBV Vestamanyaer, Iceland), Kayondo Abdu Aziizi (AC Leganes, Spain)

Midfielders

Aucho Khalid (Yanga SC, Tanzania), Byaruhanga Bobosi (Austin FC, USA), Sentamu Siraje (Vipers SC, Uganda), Lwanga Taddeo (APR FC, Rwanda), Ndhondhi Moses Waiswa (KCCA FC, Uganda), Karisa Milton (Vipers SC, Uganda), Mutyaba Travis (SC Villa, Uganda), Mugulusi Isma (Feirense, Portugal), Mato Rogers (Sanliurfaspor, Turkey), Ochaya Joseph (Al Makawloon, Egypt), Miya Faruku (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey), Tibita Laban (URA FC, Uganda), Kasule Ibrahim (New York Red Bull II, USA)

Forwards

Okwi Emmanuel (Erbil SC, Iraq), Bayo Fahad (VFK Vyskov, Czech Republic), Basangwa Richard (Wadi Degla SC, Egypt), Ssebufu Frank (New York Redbull II, USA)