“It's going to be a very classical game,” says Desabre as Uganda readies for Tanzania in Final AFCON 2019 qualifier

Despite the Uganda Cranes’ already secured spot in the 2019 AFCON finals in Tanzania, Uganda Cranes boss Sebastien Desabre doesn’t view Sunday’s final group game with the Taifa Stars of Tanzania as a formality, but will accord it the respect of a cup final.

Desabre is aware that the weekend game is a battle of two seasoned rivals and the fans back home will expect nothing less than a rivalry when the action kicks off at the National stadium in Dar es Salaam.

The team leave their camp in Cairo in the evening for the Tanzanian capital and are expected to train in the Tanzania National stadium on Saturday afternoon, as CAF rules stipulate.

Desabre revealed to Nile Post that his last group game is important and Taifa stars should not expect any favours from the Frenchman’s side.

“We will hold our first training session on Saturday afternoon to acclimatize to the atmosphere and give our best come Sunday,” said the tactician.

“We are very happy to play Tanzania, its going to be a very classic game,” he added.

Uganda has a record to protect, being the only team yet to concede a goal in the qualifiers.

Since taking over the reigns last December, Desabre is credited for transforming the team by bringing more young and locally based players to the senior team and tweaking their playing style.

Uganda already qualified for the 2019 Africa cup of nations top of group L, with 13 points, while Tanzania is second with five points, level with Lesotho, who play bottom placed Cape Verde on the same day.

THE 24 MAN SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS:

Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Salim Magoola (Al Hilal, South), Robert Odongkara (Adama City, Ethiopia)

DEFENDERS

Murushid Jjuuko (Simba, Tanzania), Timothy Awany (KCCA, Uganda), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers, Uganda), Geofrey Walusimbi (Free Agent), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Kirizestom Ntambi (Ethiopian Coffee), Nico Wakiro Wadada (Azam, Tanzania)

MIDFIELDERS:

Khalid Aucho (Churchhill brothers, India), Milton Karisa (MC Oujda), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Free Agent), Tadeo Lwanga (Vipers, Uganda), Ibrahim Sadam Juma (KCCA, Uganda), Moses Waiswa (Vipers, Uganda), Moses Opondo (Vendsyssel FF, Denmark)

FORWARDS

Faruku Miya (Gorica, Croatia) ,Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Simba, Tanzania), Allan Kyambadde (KCCA, Uganda), Allan Okello (KCCA,Uganda), Edrisa Lubega (SV Ried, Austria), Muhammad Shaban (Raja Casablanca, Morocco), Henry Patrick Kaddu (KCCA, Uganda)