Wasswa: Morale in camp high because of hunger Afcon 2019

KAMPALA. Uganda will for the first time since the round robin qualification format came into force qualify with one match to spare if coach Sebastien Desabre’s men do not lose to Cape Verde this Saturday at Namboole.
The Cranes find themselves in such an enviable position having started the journey one year ago against this weekend’s opponents.
Then under coach Micho Sredojevic, striker Geoffrey Sserunkuma’s goal away in Praia sealed all three points to set the ship sailing.
Another man that has been part of the journey, playing both in defence and midfield, Hassan Wasswa believes they have worked hard to put themselves in this position, but adds that the work is even harder now with all players desperate to impress to make the Cameroon cut.
“The morale in camp, I can assure you, is incredible,” the versatile Wasswa, who plies his trade with Egyptian Premier League club El Gaish, told Daily Monitor on the sidelines of a warm-up match between the Cranes and the U23s at StarTimes Stadium Lugogo yesterday.

You can feel it
“There are those of us who played in Gabon Afcon last year, and then they are those like Emmanuel Okwi and other new players that are doing their best to make it this time.
“Every player wants to make it and the competition in that spirit is really serious. You can see it, you can feel it, which is good for the team.” Make no mistake! Saturday at Namboole is not a ceremony for Cape Verde to just surrender a point to Uganda.
Before the qualifiers kicked off, the Islanders were the highest rated country in Group L that also includes Uganda, Tanzania and Lesotho.

Group kings
As a matter of fact, they are currently ranked at 68 by Fifa, 11 places better than Uganda. But a quick glance at Group L standings after four matches and Uganda are top on 10 points, five better than Cape Verde and Tanzania.
“No one believed we would be topping the group at this time, and topping it in the manner that we are,” assured Wasswa, 30.
“But we also know that Cape Verde is not as bad as their results in qualifications suggest. We know that they are a very good side and are capable of pulling off a result anywhere if they play their football.
“So that is a reminder that even though we know we need just one point to qualify, we know we shall have to sweat for it because Cape Verde also can still qualify. I think they will be our toughest opponents yet because of the qualities in their side.”
Wasswa is one player on the national team that can be deployed almost everywhere and delivers. No wonder the dreadlocked and stocky utility player has been a darling both to the last three Cranes coaches.
“Micho used to tell me that there are some very talented players but they do not give their best, and that’s why he played me.
“I always give 110 per cent whenever I put on my country’s shirt because for me that is the biggest privilege and honour.”
Wasswa will again wear that red shirt on Saturday wherever Desabre deploys him and what a better opportunity with what is at stake.
The top two teams in the group will qualify for the 2019 Afcon finals due next June. It will be the first competition with 24 countries.

25-man Uganda Cranes squad to base in Kabira

Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns),
Jamal Salim (El Meriekh),
Charles Lukwago (KCCA FC)
Nicholas Sebwato (Onduparaka FC)
Isaac Isinde (Kirinya Jinja SS)
Murushid Juuko (Simba SC)
Timothy Awanyi (KCCA FC)
Denis Iguma (Kazma FC)
Nicholas Wadada (Azam FC)
Godfrey Walusimbi (Kaizer Chiefs)
Isaac Muleme (Haras El Hodood)
Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe)
Hassan Wasswa (El Geish)
Khalid Aucho(Church Hill Brothers, India)
Ibrahim Saddam Juma (KCCA FC)
Tadeo Lwanga (Vipers SC)
Allan Kateregga (Cape Town City)
Faruku Miya (Gorica )
Moses Waisswa (Vipers SC)
Milton Karisa (MC Oujda)
Allan Kyambadde (KCCA FC)
Emma Okwi (Simba SC)
Edrisa Lubega (SV Ried)
Derrick Nsibambi (Smouha)
Patrick Kaddu (KCCA FC)

23-man Kobs team for residential camp in Njeru

Tom Ikara (KCCA FC)
Saidi Keni (Proline FC)
Mathias Muwanga (Express FC)
Musitafa Mujuzi (Proline Fc)
Hassan Musana (KCCA FC)
Mustafa Kizza (KCCA FC)
Rashid Toha (Onduparaka FC)
Ronald Kigongo (URA FC)
Paul Patrick Mbowa (URA FC)
Geofrey Wasswa(Vipers SC)
Lawrence Bukenya (KCCA FC)
Bashir Asiku (Vipers SC)
Abel Michael Eturude (Onduparaka FC)
Julius Poloto (KCCAFC)
Shafik Kuchi Kagimu (URA FC)
Allan Okello (KCCA FC)
David Owori (SC Villa)
Joel Madondo (K-Jinja SS)
Steven Desi Mukwala (Vipers SC)
Joseph Junior Ssemujju (SC Villa )
Ezekiel Duncan Sseninde (Vipers SC)
Trevor Semakula  (Weerebie City FC)
Yaya Mahad Kakooza (Tooro United FC)