Uganda Cranes head coach Abdallah Mubiru is confident the upcoming Uganda Cup schedule will not bother the national team schedule.
Mubiru made the remarks after the first Cranes training session at Lugogo on Wednesday as they prepare for the upcoming international friendly against South Africa on June 12.
Mubiru says that they started training knowing that some players will occasionally go back to their respective club side to take part in the Uganda Cup.
“Thank God that we have been able to complete our first training session. The training has been moral boosting as the players are showing determination and a will to work. They are all working to stay with the team for as long as possible. Mubiru said.
“We have not been with some of the players because they did their COVID-19 tests late which could not enable them take part in the session as the results were not out yet. The other foreign based (players) are expected to come in later as we continue their preparations.
“Some of the players will be in and out of the team as they participate in the Uganda Cup with their respective clubs sides but we came in prepared for the situation and it is going to destabilize us.”
Only 14 of the summoned 34 players took part in the session on Monday in a squad that features several new players after some of the old faces retired and other were not called up.
It is understood that the Cranes are trying to transform the team so as to integrate new and young players.
About the transition, Mubiru says he has spent most of his time building teams and he hopes to do the same with the national team.
“Thank God that I have spent most of my time building teams including some in schools. I didn’t know that God was preparing me for a similar role with the national team so I am not worried or scared at all about it all.
“I am ready for the new set up and pray that God guides me through the process so that I leave a legacy by the end of my tenure.
“We have a lot of good players so we only need to have patience like we did with Denis Onyango, Hassan Wasswa and Mike Azira who gained experience over a period of up to 15 years.
“We do not need to judge the current players because they will gain experience with time. The good thing is that they are good enough and hungry for success both as players and on the national team.”
About the South Africa friendly, Mubiru noted that it came at the right time as the team will have a while to figure out what to work on.
“The South Africa game has given us a chance to prepare for the upcoming engagements early.
“It will give us a clear picture of how and where to start.”
Uganda’s next competitive assignments will come in September at away to Kenya and at home to Mali in a space of five days.
The team will resume training on Tuesday at Lugogo.
