Who starts for Uganda Cranes in do-or-die clash with Niger?

Uganda Cranes will go up against Niger on Thursday night with a focus on getting maximum points to stand any chance of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Having been held to a 1-1 draw at St. Mary’s Kitende in June 2022, the Cranes must now win against a Niger side hosting their last game in Marrakech, Morocco.

Both Uganda and Tanzania are still in contention to join Algeria, who have won all their five games to amass 15 points and top Group F.

Uganda’s opponent, Niger, is the only eliminated side with no chance of qualification, regardless of what result they post in their last game.

But for Uganda, any conversation around qualification starts with maximum points against Niger.

With a full team of 23 fit and ready for action, Milutin Sredojevic will have to select players trusted to get the desired result.

Charles Lukwago, Gavin Kizito and team captain Emmanuel Okwi are the three players who started the reverse fixture in Kampala but are unavailable for Thursday’s do-or-die encounter.

In their absence, Micho will have decisions to make, and Pulse Sports takes a look at the probable lineup the Serbian Wolf could employ to get the job done.

Salim Jamal

Since the retirement of Denis Onyango, the Cranes are yet to find a permanent replacement, and different faces have already auditioned for the shirt.

But no one has made the place his own yet. Jamal had a howler against Algeria, and it would not surprise anyone if he was dropped.

Ismail Watenga and Nafian Alionzi are the other options waiting in the wings for their numbers to be called on.

Would Micho want to throw in another goalkeeper who has yet to play any minutes in this particular campaign? Probably not.

Jamal is, therefore, expected to keep his place between the posts but will need to move on from the blunder he committed the last time out.

Kenneth Semakula, Bevis Mugabi, Halid Lwaliwa, Aziz Kayondo

Micho has continuously trusted Kenneth Semakula at right-back despite the defender featuring mainly as a centre back at his club, SC Villa.

Iceland-based Elvis Bwomono has been in and out of the team and has not been trusted enough.

It is unlikely that Micho will name him ahead of Semakula.

At centre back, Halid Lwaliwa partnered with Gift Fred against Algeria, but the Yanga defender is not in Morocco.

Motherwell defender Bevis Mugabi is the likely choice to team up with the former Vipers skipper ahead of Musa Ramathan.

Aziz Kayondo has cemented his place at left back and is expected to start ahead of Isaac Muleme and Joseph Ochaya.

Taddeo Lwanga, Khalid Aucho, Faruku Miya, Milton Karisa, Joseph Ochaya

The return of Taddeo Lwanga into the team should mean he is ready to start and partner Khalid Aucho in the holding midfield role.

Micho being a safety-first kind of manager, he will need two deep-lying midfielders to act as shock absorbers every time Niger threaten.

Joseph Ochaya ahead of Aziz Kayondo on the left wing is becoming a tradition in Micho’s setup, and that might not change on Thursday.

Faruku Miya and Milton Karisa are the other players expected to complete the midfield.

Fahad Bayo

He is yet to open his account in these qualifiers, but Fahad Bayo could start ahead as the lone striker for the Cranes.

Rogers Mato might have scored the goal that ensured all hope is not lost, but Micho seems to have settled for Bayo whenever he is available.

Frank Sebuufu and Richard Basangwa are the other options Micho will hope to bring in for goals.

The Cranes have scored just two goals in these qualifiers, Mato and Karisa being the scorers in a blunt forward line.

Whatever lineup Micho selects, the first step to qualification will be winning against Niger.

Algeria have been unplayable for the rest of the field in Group F but have nothing to fight for in their last match.

Should Tanzania halt the Foxes’ winning run, Uganda will be out and have to sit out yet another continental showpiece, having last appeared at the 2019 edition in Cairo, Egypt.

Salim Jamal, Kenneth Semakula, Aziz Kayondo, Bevis Mugabi, Halid Lwaliwa, Taddeo Lwanga, Khalid Aucho, Faruku Miya, Milton Karisa, Joseph Ochaya, Fahad Bayo.