The Uganda Cranes will take part in the centenary celebrations of the Zanzibar Football Federation after the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) confirmed the national team’s participation in a commemorative international match against Zanzibar.
The fixture is scheduled for June 11 at the newly constructed Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, with kick-off set for 8:15pm East Africa Time. The match forms part of activities marking 100 years of the Zanzibar Football Federation and will see Uganda provide the opposition for the special occasion.
Uganda head coach Paul Put has selected a 22-man squad made up entirely of locally based players, offering another opportunity for domestic league talent to gain international experience. The only unattached player included in the squad is midfielder Kenneth Semakula.
Preparations for the match will begin on Monday, June 8, when the team assembles for a training session at MTN Omondi Stadium in Lugogo before travelling to Zanzibar.
The squad features players drawn from several Uganda Premier League clubs, with SC Villa contributing a significant number of representatives. Goalkeepers Hannington Ssebwalunyo of NEC FC and David Lukwago of SC Villa have been named between the posts.
In defence, Put has selected Jonathan Odongo, David Owori, Herbert Achayi, Simon Kato Semayange, Gavin Kizito, Raymond Barasa Mangoli, Hillary Mukundane and Geoffrey Lubanga Kene.
The midfield department includes Joel Sserunjogi, Semakula, Marvin Nyanzi, Abubakali Walusimbi, Joseph Seremba and Abdu Karim Watambala, while the attack will be led by Hassan Mubiru, Sammy Ssebaduka, Arafat Usama, Richard Basangwa, Ivan Ahimbisibwe and Frank Ssebufu.
The Zanzibar encounter comes shortly after the cancellation of Uganda’s planned international friendlies in Morocco and provides a valuable opportunity for the locally based contingent to impress on the international stage as the Cranes continue their preparations for future assignments.
