Kampala — NATIONAL soccer coach Robert Williamson starts preparing for the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup title defence on Monday, well aware that there will be no build-up matches for the team ahead of the tournament.

Williamson returned from holiday on Tuesday, and is expected to name a squad to start training for the regional championship this morning. The team will start training on Monday, if funds are available.

"We had looked at the four-Nation tournament in Tanzania to offer a warm up for the team that has not been together for a long time," said FUFA technical director Asuman Lubowa yesterday.

He added: "It is sad that the Tanzania event was put off, but we will find a way out."

Uganda had been pitted for the four-nation tournament alongside Kenya, Tanzania and another country outside the East African region. But the tournament was put off without any clear reason.

Cranes training has already been blessed with a one-month break in the Uganda Super League to allow the team train with little disruption.