Uganda Cranes defender Gift Fred has promised to pay back head coach Milutin Sredejovic Micho’s trust after making the final Squad.

The SC Villa defender was among the 23 players as Micho named the final team ahead of a crucial AFCON qualifier game against Algeria.

On a day that a couple of notable faces were dropped, Gift was among the ten local based players that made the final cut.

While speaking to the press after being named on the team, the SC Villa captain said that he won’t let down the Cranes technical team for believing in him.

“I thank the technical bench headed by Micho for believing in me and making it in the final squad and I hope to give my all, he said.

The SC Villa defender has had a brilliant season, helping his side compete for the title up to the last day when they lost it to Vipers.

At Villa, he has been a key member, with his good defensive skills and good leadership at a young Villa side.

And on thursday, while naming the final team, Micho included the SC Villa captain, on a day key players like Vipers Hillary Mukundane were dropped.

The team, that consists of 23 players will fly out to Cameroon on Friday morning and will face Democratic Republic of Congo in a friendly on Wednesday 14th June, before facing off with Algeria in a crucial tie on Sunday 18th.

And Fred, who is part of the team promised to the put up a good fight for better results.

“We promise to fight hard and bring up better results. We thank FUFA, sponsors for all the support”

Currently, Uganda are sitted in the third position with 4 points, same with second placed Tanzania.

And the game against Algeria puts Uganda in a must win situation if they are to brighten their qualification chances to final AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast.