The head coach of the Uganda Sand Cranes, Angelo Schrinzi has made it clear the team is ready to prove a point at the 2022 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The tournament will run from October 21-28th in Vilankulo – the holiday resort town in Mozambique.
Although the tournament was meant to have eight teams, Nigeria pulled out a few days ago citing some administrative challenges.
Schrinzi, a former Switzerland International, told Sports News Africa that his team is well prepared for the competition. “We are not just going to participate, but to compete,” said the head coach.
Fresh from finishing third in the recent COSAFA Beach Soccer tournament held in Durban, South Africa, the coach said they have gained a lot of match practice. “The team is in good spirits and ready to prove a point,” added the coach.
Uganda edged out Comoros in the qualifiers for the 2022 Beach Soccer AFCON with wins of 5-2 (first leg) and 4-3 (second leg) to make it on a 9-5 goal aggregate.
Currently ranked 5th in Africa and 36 in the World as per Beach Soccer Worldwide, Uganda began to put more focus on beach soccer in 2019 and so their improvement in the last three years is noticed.
Uganda qualified for their first Beach Soccer Africa Nations Cup in Senegal last year, they managed to get to the semi final stage.
The Sand Cranes are in Group B alongside defending Champions Senegal, Madagascar and Egypt.
Uganda’s squad
Goalkeepers: Samson Kirya (Buganda Royal BSC), Meddie Kibirige (St. Lawrence BSC)
Defenders: Jonathan Kikonyogo (St. Lawrence BSC), Allan Katwe (St. Lawrence BSC), Ashraf Opuuli (Mutoola BSC), Paul Lule (Buganda Royal BSC), Joshua Lubwama Letti (St. Lawrence BSC)
Forwards: Baker Lukooya (St. Lawrence BSC), Ambrose Kigozi (Buganda Royal BSC), Godfrey Lwesibawa (Buganda Royal BSC), Brian Nkuubi (St. Lawrence BSC), Isma Kawawulo (MUBS BSC)
