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The Uganda Cranes find themselves in a peculiar situation, as they will host neighbours Tanzania at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia on Thursday.
Allan Okello insists ‘there should be nothing to worry about’ and has backed the Uganda Cranes to professionally adapt to playing what should be a home 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier away from home.
The Uganda Cranes find themselves in a peculiar situation, as they will host neighbours Tanzania at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt on Thursday.
Without the support of the home ground advantage that the Cranes have enjoyed recently, catapulting them to a five year unbeaten run on home soil, signs predict it will be a tough afternoon for Uganda.
But the KCCA FC attacking midfielder has calmed nerves, suggesting that the Cranes are raring to give their best even under the rather abnormal situation.
“Wherever football takes you, you have to be ready to face the situation,” Okello told Pulse Sports.
“It is no use now focussing on something we cannot influence, but rather have to attack the situation as it is and be positive about it.”
“We are ready, and prepared for us to take on the situation wherever we play, whether it is at home, in Egypt or wherever, we should do our best and give 100% for the nation,” he added.
Uganda is in danger of their qualifying campaign getting even more difficult if they do not collect full points off Tanzania in the back to back meetings between the East African nations over the next two weeks.
They are currently bottom of Group F, with only a single point from two games, losing to Algeria in their opening game and then held to a 1-1 draw by Niger during the August international window.
Okello, who described the Niger draw as a tumble, also emphasized the need for the Cranes to have their focus fully on the double header against Tanzania.
“Against Niger, it was a bad result, but football is all about moving forward, and the journey that you take,” Okello explained.
“Now we are preparing for the game against Tanzania, so we cannot look back on the earlier games.”
“We should be able to give our best to get the result and help our cause for qualification,” he continued.
Okello is among 28 players who have been called up for the two games, with the team expected to hold a two day camp in Egypt’s capital Cairo before they relocate to Ismailia on the eve of the game.
Players that travelled from Kampala
Goalkeepers: Alionzi Nafian (URA FC, Uganda), Lukwago Charles (St. George, Ethiopia), Magoola Salim Omar (Richards Bay FC, South Africa),
Defenders: Torach Rogers (Vipers SC, Uganda), Begisa James Penz (URA FC, Uganda), Mulondo Livingstone (Vipers SC, Uganda), Lwaliwa Halidi (FK Bregalnica, North Macedonia), Semakula Kenneth (SC Villa, Uganda), Kizito Gavin (Al Ittihad Alexandria SC, Egypt), Kayondo Abdu Aziizi (CD Leganes, Spain), Awany Timothy (SC Ironi Ashdod, Israel)
Midfielders: Ssentamu Siraje (Vipers SC, Uganda), Okello Allan (KCCA FC, Uganda), Mugisha Rogers (UPDF FC, Uganda), Aucho Khalid (Yanga SC, Tanzania), Byaruhanga Bobosi (Austin FC, USA), Sserwadda Steven (New York Red Bull II, USA), Mugulusi Isma (Makedonikos FC, Greece), Miya Farouk (Caykur Rizerspor, Turkey)
Forwards: Mato Rogers (KCCA FC, Uganda), Mutyaba Travis (SC Villa, Uganda), Okwi Emmanuel (Erbil SC, Iraq), Ochaya Joseph (Al Makawdoon Al Arab SC, Egypt), Mukwala Steven (Asante Kotoko, Ghana), Bayo Fahad (MFK, Vyskov, Czech Republic), Basangwa Richard (Wadi Degla SC, Egypt), Anaku Sadat (Dundee United FC, Scotland)
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