Uganda Cranes players hit the Gym in Abu Dhabi

Posted on May 29, 2019 - 1:41 pm by Ahmed Marsha

9am: Gym session

6.45 pm Training at Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi Cricket Sports Complex.

2019 AFCON Fixtures in Egypt
22nd June Uganda vs Democtratic Republic of Congo
26th June Uganda vs Zimbabwe
30th June Egypt vs Uganda

It is that time of the camp that any coach will have calculated and planned sessions with players ahead of any tournament.

In Abu Dhabi where the Uganda Cranes is camped for the next weeks, players will be expected to work their socks off to convince the Head coach of how they deserve to be in his final 23 man Squad for the Total AFCON 2019 Egypt.

The busiest technical official in the Uganda Cranes camp on Wednesday morning was Physical fitness trainer Gerome D’Antonio at the Park Rotana Hotel and closely monitored by head coach Sebastien Desabre as players divided into three groups walked into the gym at periodical intervals for their sessions. Assistant coach Matia Lule, the medical team of Dr. Ronald Kisolo, Dr. Ivan Ssewanyana and Dr. Charles Sebwana were also around.

Uganda Cranes players in the gym as they are seen listening to Gerome D’Antonio attentively

All the 17 players in camp took part in the gym session that lasted 45 minutes per group before they were allowed to go enjoy swimming, a game of pool and table tennis.

Having had a training session late on Tuesday under floodlights, the players will head back to Sheikh Zayed Stadium to complete the day’s programme.

From pitch to the Pool table: Battle of the Left footed players Godfrey Walusimbi and Joseph Ochaya enjoying a game of pool after the gym session. Ochaya easily won this game. Hassan Wasswa and Murushid Juuko are also in the photo

Muslims fasting in camp

It is a sizeable number of muslims in camp observing the fourth pillar of Islam. Sebastien has designed a programme that fits exactly into the Ramadan period for those fasting. They are able to break the fast on time in the evening with the timing signal coming off the Adhan (Calling muslims for prayer) from the nearby Sheikh Zayed Grand mosque.

Assistant captain Hassan Wasswa Mawanda leads the group of those fasting who are always catered for as well with late night meals- Suhoor popularly known as ‘Daku’ in Uganda.

L-R Miya Faruku, Joseph Ochaya, Hassan Wasswa, Isaac Muleme, (back to camera-Sadam Juma) and Dr. Chale Sebwana inside the gym

‘It is not difficult for me and my colleagues who are fasting during this holy month of Ramadan. Our bodies are set for this period and we knew that training would start during Ramadan. The coach has given us a good progamme that favors the entire team for training sessions’ said Hassan Wasswa Mawanda

Skipper Denis Onyango in the gym ready for his session as well

L-R Khalid Aucho, Godfrey Walusimbi, Derrick Nsibambi and Taddeo Lwanga after conduting their gym session in Abu Dhabi at Park Rotana Hotel

Head coach Sebastien Desabre (L) with his assistant Matia Lule are seen coming from the gym but in very deep discussion

Players in Abu Dhabi (17):

Denis Masinde Onyango, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda, Joseph Benson Ochaya, Timothy Denis Awanyi, Godfrey Walusimbi, Patrick Henry Kaddu, Bevis Mugabi, Isaac Muleme, Khalid Aucho, Taddeo Lwanga, Allan Kyambadde, Ibrahim Sadam Juma, Moses Waiswa, Derrick Nsibambi, Murushid Jjuuko and Kirizestom Ntambi and Faruku Miya

The rest of the players (11) will join between 2nd and 7th June. Azira Mike will report last.

Salim Jamal, Kizito Luwagga, Lumala Abdul, Alexis Bakka, Allan Kateregga, Nico Wadada, Emma Okwi, Robert Odongkara, Ronald Mukiibi, Charles Lukwago and Mike Azira.

Team Officials