Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin Sredojevic Micho has justified the reason for recalling back goalkeeper Salim Jamal, forward Steven Mukwala and left back Joseph Ochaya to the national team.

The three said players are part of the 29-man as the Cranes gear up for the double header against Tanzania this month in the upcoming 2023 AFCON qualifiers.

Speaking after naming the squad, Micho said that they have called up the best performing players for the task ahead.

“We have summoned a squad of the best performing Ugandan players in relation to the opposition that we shall play,” Micho said.

The squad consists of some senior players, Chan players and those from the U20 team.

The returning players summoned was goalkeeper Jamal and Ochaya.

“In the team we have summoned, I could say we have five groups. Let’s say the U20, we have Mugisha Rogers, Travis Mutyaba, Rogers Torach. Second group is the players promoted from the CHAN team the likes of Ndahiro, Wasswa, Begisa, Mato and others. Then other team from the past two years like Bobosi, Kayondo, Basangwa.

“The other group, those players performing well at their clubs like Ochaya in Egypt, goalkeeper Jamal Salim in South Africa, Mukwala in Kotoko and they have proved that they deserve a call up. And the last group, those players with maturity like Miya, Okwi and they know how to play in tense situations”

Uganda will play against Tanzania later this month with the first leg to be hosted in Ismailia, Egypt at Suez Canal Authority Stadium on 24th March.

The return leg will be played four days later at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Sam.

Currently, the Cranes are seated rock bottom of group F with a just one point after two games. Algeria are on top with six points, Niger and Tanzania come second and third respectively with each on two points.

And Micho’s men will need to be at their best to pick needed points in the Tanzania double header so as to brighten up their chances of qualifying to the AFCON.