Fred Kaweesi
12 November 2008
Kampala — THE Cranes 2010 World/Nations Cup 2-1 victory over Benin last month was not good enough to guarantee progress to the final stages of the competition but it has pushed up Uganda's position in the world rankings.
Uganda has gone up 12 places to a prestigious joint 83rd position with Jamaica in the world and 18th in Africa according to the latest FIFA World rankings released yesterday.
Uganda's previous 95th place is interestingly occupied by its latest victim Benin, who on the contrary made the final rounds of the World/Nations Cup qualifiers due next month.
The ranking also portrays Uganda as the best-placed east African nation ahead of Kenya (85) and Rwanda (87), who just like Benin made the last stage of the qualifiers.
This ranking is Uganda's second best since 1995 when the country occupied 66th place.
Cranes regroup on Sunday in preparation for the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup that starts on December 31.
None of the foreign-based players will be considered for the regional tournament where Cranes will be hunting for their 10th title.
Norman Katende adds that national players will have to feature in trial matches before they are named on a team for international duty.
The move aims at helping FUFA to critically assess the players summoned for national duty and to judge their fitness levels.
National coach Bobby Williamson yesterday told the FUFA Postbank weekly press conference that the first such match will be on November 23 at Nakivubo, with the two Cranes coaching assistants in charge of either team in the clash.
"I want to try as many players as possible before we select the final team," Williamson said ahead of the team's resumption of training on Sunday at Namboole.
Williamson added that though he is not allowed to train club tacticians, they are free to watch the national team train and he would gladly discuss tactics with them. He also summoned 34 players to start training.
A. Dhaira, H. Kalyesubula, B. Ochan, H. Muwonge, S. Masaba, D. Walulya, L. Segawa, G. Walusimbi, J. Owino, J. Mukubya, E. Ssali, I. Isinde, M. Mudde, H. Kavuma, D. Musa, V. Kayiizi, D. Wagaluka, T. Mawejje, R. Muganga, P. Ochan, R. Kimuli, S. Bengo, O. Kasule, C. Ntambi, E. Obua, P. Senfuka, S. Serunkuma, C. Okhuti, E. Okwi, B. Umony, Y. Mugalu, H. Kiiza, R. Ssentongo and M. Muwanga.
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