The Uganda Cranes contingent led by FUFA Executive committee member, Hamid Juma has left the country on Friday evening.
The team was officially flagged off from the Serene Suites Hotel in Kampala by the F.A boss Moses Magogo at 4 p.m who emphasized they have the impetus to send shock waves across the continent.
“Uganda Cranes return to the AFCON after 39 years. It has been hard work and commitment. I am sure you (the players) have the ability to produce positive results at the championship. Therefore, have the belief and the whole country is supporting you” Magogo stated.
The players then left the hotel premises with the national team bus to Entebbe International Airport for check in at 7 p.m.
By 8 p.m, they set off aboard Ethiopian Airlines on flight ET 612. They are expected to have a stop over at the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa City.
The Uganda Cranes return to the Africa Cup of Nations tournament after a 39 year absence since Ghana 1978.
On Friday morning, the team conducted their last training session at IUIU Girls campus ahead of the team’s departure for Tunisia and Dubai where they have organized training camps.
Head coach, Milutin Sredojevic named the 26 players (with four players scheduled to fly directly to Tunisia).
In Tunisia, the Uganda Cranes will play an international friendly match against Tunisia on Wednesday, 4th January 2017.
In Dubai, they face Slovakia and Cote D’Ivoire on the 8th and 11th January 2017 respectively.
Micho believes the international build ups will give him the true picture expected at the AFCON finals.
One international friendly match is far better than 6 combined training sessions. Therefore the matches will show us where we are standing and if we are ready to compete at the international stage.
The Uganda Cranes open their AFCON campaign against Ghana Black Stars on 17th January 2017 in Port Gentil.
The traveling Uganda Cranes team to Tunisia and Dubai:
Goalkeepers: Dennis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Robert Odongkara (St George, Ethiopia), Benjamin Ochan (KCCA, Uganda), Salim Jamal Magoola (El Meriekh, Sudan)
Defenders: Denis Iguma (Al Ahed, Lebanon), Nicholas Wadada (Vipers, Uganda), Joseph Ochaya (KCCA, Uganda), Shafiq Batambuze (Tusker, Kenya), Isaac Isinde (unattached), Timothy Awany (KCCA, Uganda), Murshid Juuko (Simba,Tanzania)
Midfielders: William Luwagga Kizito (Rio Ave, Portugal), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Vipers, Uganda), Muzamiru Mutyaba (KCCA, Uganda), Godfrey Walusimbi (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Tonny Mawejje (Thotur,Iceland), Khalid Aucho (Baroka FC, South Africa ), Mike Azira (Colorado Rapids, USA), Moses Oloya (Hanoi T and T) and Geoffrey Kizito (Than Quang Ninh, Vietnam).
Strikers: Geofrey Sserunkuma (KCCA, Uganda), Muhammed Shaban (Onduparaka, Uganda), Yunus Sentamu (Ilves, Finland), Edrisa Lubega (Proline, Uganda), Geoffrey Massa (Baroka, South Africa), Faruku Miya (Standard Liege, Belgium)
