Top ten Uganda Premier League players to miss Micho's squad

Hillary Mukundane in action against Soltilo Bright Stars. He's suffering from a PCL injury

AFCON 2023 Top ten Uganda Premier League players to miss Micho's squad

Allan Damba • 12:30 - 08.06.2023

Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic named his final squad for the Africa Cup qualifier against Algeria, slated for Doula in Cameroon on June 18.

The team which comprises 13 internationally based stars, also has ten from the Uganda Premier League.

However, despite making the initial provisional squad, ten top stars from the league missed the cut, including the ever-creative Allan Okello and Bright Anukani of KCCA FC and Vipers FC, respectively.

The players were some of the most important players for their respective teams, with Okello racking six goals and eight assists in the league.

Allan Okello is part of a KCCA side struggling to create and score goals /KCCA FC image

Anukani, meanwhile, managed five goals and nine assists across both the league and the Uganda Cup.

The final team that will travel out of the country early on Friday, also misses arguably last season's best defender, Hillary Mukundane.

Vipers' Hillary Mukundane in action against Bright Stars

He kept 18 of the 20 clean-sheets Vipers SC had in the league, as they also only conceded just 13 goals in the title-winning season.

Micho's team also lacks two of the best right-backs in the league in James Begisa and Ashraf Mandela of URA FC and Vipers, respectively.

Vipers defender Ashraf Mandela takes on a Police FC defender in one of the many battles he won on the day

The two were relatively brilliant across the season, with a number of people selecting either for the Uganda Premier League team of the season.

Meanwhile, two of the finest left-backs in the country, Isa Mubiru and Derrick Ndahiro of Vipers and URA, respectively, will also not make the trip to Cameroon, despite their consistency across the season.

To add, midfielders George Kasonko and Saidi Mayanja of BUL FC and KCCA FC, respectively also didn't make the final cut, but the latter will not have a whole lot to worry as he has age by his side, and is a pillar in the U-20 team.

KCCA FC midfielder Saidi Mayanja and Vipers SC defender Ashraf Mandela battling for possession at Kitende | KCCA Image

Despite making the provisional squad, SC Villa lethal marksman Charles Bbaale missed out on the final team, for reasons best known by Micho.

Charles Bbaale has been the lead striker at SC Villa.

Bbaale's prolificness was proved last season as he bagged 12 league goals, the second most of any player behind Allan Kayiwa (13), who didn't even make the provisional team.

Top ten players that missed the squad

James Begisa

Ashraf Mandela

Isa Mubiru

Derrick Ndahiro

Hillary Mukundane

George Kasonko

Saidi Mayanja

Bright Anukani

Allan Okello

Charles Bbaale