John Byamuka Tooki has earned his first-ever call-up to the Uganda national team in a squad to face Tanzania in a friendly this week. Uganda Cranes will be part of Tanzania’s Usiku ya Uhuru (Independence Day Celebrations) after getting invited for a friendly game.
The two East African Nations will face off at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Thursday. With Tanzania getting her independence on 9th December 1961, Thursday’s celebrations will be commemorating 60 years.
The 22-year-old has been enjoying a standout season for Express fc and has established himself as one of the top midfielders in Uganda Premier League since joining the club prior to the 2020/2021 season. The former Tooro United and Friends Of Soccer Academy graguate is mostly remembered for scoring a screamer four minutes after the hour hour mark of the game which left Vipers Sc custodian Bashir Sekagya helpless, Guiding Express Fc to clinch the 2020/2021 Uganda Premier League title after nine years of absence.
Despite getting an abrupt call/invite, Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin Sredojevic alias Micho had been able to summon 18 players majority of whom are on the fringes at their respective Clubs.
“I thank coaches that have stretched and allowed us to use some of the players bearing in mind that the League has not been stopped. There are games on Tuesday and then on Friday yet the game against Tanzania will be played on Thursday but they have given the players greenlight to join us.”
The coach indicates that this game will help to widen the pool of players as preparations for the 2022 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) Qualifiers commence.
“We have started preparations for the qualification campaign of CHAN 2022 in Algeria. This gives us the opportunity to widen the pool of players.
Coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic summoned a total of 18 locally based players set to fly out to Dar.
Uganda will use the friendly as preparations for the 2022 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) Qualifiers.
Players Summoned
Goalkeepers: Joel Mutakubwa (ExpressFC), Jack Komakech (Vipers SC)
Defenders: James Begisa (UPDF FC), Ibrahim Juma (KCCA FC), Najib Fesali (URA FC), Joseph Bright Vuni (Arua Hill SC), Farouk Katongole (URA FC)
Midfielders: John Byamukama alias Tooki (Express FC), George Kasonko (BUL FC), Joseph Akandwanaho (Express FC), Travis Mutyaba (SC Villa), Steven Munguchi (Gaddafi FC), Frank Ssenyondo (Wakiso Giants FC), Frank Mulimi (Gaddafi FC)
Forwards: Ivan Asaba (Vipers SC), Alfred Leku (Arua Hill), Samuel Ssenyonjo (KCCA FC), Patrick Kaddu (Unattached)
