Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin Sredejovic “Micho” has unveiled his final preparation programme as the team intensifies training ahead of the 2017 African cup of Nations.
With the team training already underway, Micho has revealed his final plan from including the different international friendlies.
However, contrary to the earlier programme that had friendlies against hosts Gabon and Libya, the two games were scrapped off due to various reasons.
According to reliable sources, the games against Libya and Gabon were called off because of inadequate funds.
The Serbian tactician revealed that the team that is in camp now will be trimmed to 20 players on Friday (tomorrow) as the players will be given a two day break for Christmas period.
“The team of 29 players will be reduced to 20 by the end of training tomorrow and the players will go home on Saturday and Sunday for Christmas celebrations,” said Micho.
He further added that the training will resume on Monday 26th December with four foreign based players joining camp to make a total of 24 players.
“We shall resume on boxing day with one training session with four other players joining camp,” he stated.
The team (24 players) will train for five days with a sequence of one and two training sessions where Micho will name the name 20 players that will fly to Tunisia, six more foreign based players will join the team where they will have a 3 day’s training session from 31st December -2nd January.
On 3rd, the cranes will have a closed build up game with a local Tunisia club before playing against Tunisia the following day at stade Olympic El Menzah.
According to Micho, the team will have recovery training on 5th January and 3 players will be dropped while the remaining 23 will proceed to Abu Dhabi, Dubai where the team will play against Slovakia and Ivory Coast on 8th January and 11th January respectively.
Micho is confident the preparation plan will yield results
Preparation programme
15th Dec- 17th Dec – Medical tests
19th Dec -23rd Dec – 29 players in residential camp with training at Fitness Gym, Kabira Country club and Kabojja
23rd Dec -9 players will be dropped from camp
24th Dec -25th Dec -Christmas break for the team
26th Dec – Team resumes training up to 30th December with one and two training sessions in sequence. 4 foreign based players join camp on 26th December.
30th December – The team will be trimmed from 24 to 20 players and will leave for Tunisia.
31st Dec – 2nd Jan -Six other foreign based players join team in Tunisia for training
3rd January – A closed door build up game with a local Tunisia club 4th January -International friendly against Tunisia at Stade Olympic El Menzah.
5th January – Recovery training, three more players will be dropped and Micho will be left with the final 23 man team.
5th Jan -7th Jan – Training in Abu Dhabi 8th January – International friendly against Slovakia at Abu Dhabi military stadium.
9th Jan -10th Jan – Recovery training.
11th January – International friendly against Ivory Coast at New york University stadium.
13th January – Team heads to Gabon.