The Federation of Uganda Football Association has stood firm on their decision to suspend midfielder Khalid Aucho from the side’s training camp for the forthcoming AFCON Qualifiers.
The Veteran player was allegedly caught on the wrong side of the law for refusing to adhere to the Cranes’ code of conduct and was subsequently dismissed out of the squad on Friday evening.
The decision, that has been a point of debate in local football circles, leaves means the player will play a peripheral role when Cranes face Burkina Faso and Malawi in the qualifying games.
With severe criticism from the masses, and notably from former president hopeful Kyagulanyi Robert Ssetamu who labelled the incident a matter of political witch-hunt.
However, FUFA has come out full throttle to defend their decision highlighting Goal keeping coach Fred Kajoba’s Saga when Cranes were gearing up for CHAN as a reference point.
The custodians of local football added that Aucho will be considered for future national team engagements.
“About the current Uganda Cranes camp preparing for two Afcon matches against Burkina Faso and Malawi; all players and officials are bound by the national teams’ Code of Conduct formulated way back in 2017,” read the statement from Fufa on their social media pages.
“When Uganda Cranes players were invited for national team duty two weeks ago for the two matches vs Burkina Faso and Malawi; an air ticket was sent and a circular dated March 4, 2021, reminding players and officials of their obligations in line with national teams’ Code of Conduct.
“Permission for players to miss from camp is only granted by the head coach, in this case, the player had to follow the same procedure.
“Unfortunately, player Khalid Aucho didn’t. The decision taken by Fufa against the player has no political inclination. The player has been dismissed from the current Cranes camp but may be considered for future national team engagements.
“Fufa enforces regulations with all its nine national teams just like it was for goalkeeping coach Fred Kajoba who was asked to leave camp as the Uganda Cranes prepared for the Chan tournament.”
On dismissing Aucho, who was recalled to the squad despite serving a ban from their last qualifier against South Sudan, Fufa explained: “Khalid [Aucho] has been dismissed from Uganda Cranes camp for failure to adhere to the national team Code of Conduct and Fufa Circular dated March 4, 2021.
“Aucho refused to board the official means of transport organised to pick him from Entebbe International Airport to the team camp at Cranes Paradise Hotel-Kisasi and has not even reported to camp since his arrival in the country.
“The player’s club Misr Lel Makkasa and Egypt Football Association have duly been informed about the decision and a return air ticket has been issued to him for his travel back to Egypt.”
Uganda Cranes play Burkina Faso on 24 March in the penultimate group game before taking on Malawi in the closing group game.
