Uganda Cranes defender Ronald Mukiibi has been ruled out of the Cranes two opening games of the 2021 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers.
The Cranes will visit Ouagadougou to play Burkina Faso on Wednesday 13th November, before returning home on Sunday 17th, November to host Malawi at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
Mukiibi, 28, was replaced in the 17th minute of the penultimate round of the Swedish Allsvenskan league after picking up an injury, as his side, Ostersunds FK lost out to Hammarby 2-1.
With Mukiibi ruled out, Bevis Mugabi, Halid Lwaliwa, Timothy Awany, Murshid Jjuuko and Hassan Wasswa are the other central defence options available for coach Jonathan McKinstry. It remains to be seen if he will name a replacement or stick with the available options.
Meanwhile, the team entered residential camp on Sunday evening and will depart the country for Burkina Faso on 11th November 2019 for Ouagadougou ahead of the Wednesday, 13th November clash.
Defender Isaac Muleme, Awany, Mugabi, are also expected to arrive at the Palm Beach Hotel in Ouagadougou. Forwards Luwagga Kizito, Alexis Bakka and US based midfielder Mike Azira are also expected to join camp Monday evening.
On the other hand, twelve players entered camp on Sunday at the Kabira Country Club and will hold a training session today at Namboole before they fly out to Burkina Faso.
Cranes registered a comprehensive 4-0 victory over North East select team in their regional tour match played at the Katakwi High School playground in Katakwi.
Mustafa Kiiza, Fahad Bayo, Hassan Ssenyonjo and Joachim Ojera all scored as the team that included four home-based players summoned for the qualifiers registered a victory.
The team is expected to have a single training session before flying out of the country.
Uganda Cranes will then host Malawi Flames on 17th November 2019 at the Mandela National Stadium.
The Full Squad
Goalkeepers
Dennis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Robert Odongkara (Horoya AC, Guinea), Charles Lukwago (KCCA, Uganda)
Defenders
Nico Wakiro Wadada (Azam, Tanzania), Bevis Mugabi (Motherwell, Scotland), Murushid Jjuuko (Wydad Casablanca, Morocco), Timothy Denis Awany (Sports Club Ironi Ashdod, Israel), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers, Uganda), Isaac Muleme (Viktoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, Democratic Republic of Congo)
Midfielders
Michael Azira (Chicago Fire, USA), Khalid Aucho (Misr Lel Makasa, Egypt), Tadeo Lwanga (Tanta, Egypt), Nicholas Kasozi (KCCA, Uganda), Allan Okello (KCCA, Uganda), Allan Kyambadde (El Gouna, Egypt), Farouk Miya (Konyaspor, Turkey), Abdu Lumala (Pyramids, Egypt), William Kizito Luwagga (Shakhter Karaganda, Kazahstan)
Forwards
Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Ittihad Alexandria, Egypt), Patrick Henry Kaddu (RS Berkane, Morocco), Alexis Bbakka (Carlstad United BK, Sweden), Fahad Bayo (Vipers, Uganda)
