Football
Andrew Oryada, Special to ESPN 5y

Wonderkids Okello, Poloto cut from Uganda squad

Uganda head coach Sebastien Desabre has dropped KCCA FC duo Allan Okello and Julius Poloto from the Cranes squad set to face Lesotho in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier later this week.

Okello, one of Uganda's most promising attacking midfielders, was cut on Monday and will play no part in the upcoming double-header as the Cranes look to boost their hopes of reaching a second consecutive AFCON.

The Cranes, who lead Group L, will host second-placed Lesotho on October 13 at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole before the return late in Maseru three days later.

"We have trimmed the team to the final 24 after three days of testing," Desabre told KweséESPN. "We shall embark on residential training as the professional players also start arriving [on Monday].

Uncapped Okello, who helped KCCA FC reach the group stage of the CAF Champions League, is not downhearted after his omission.

"Although I have not made it to the final squad, this will encourage me to keep working hard," Okello told KweséESPN. "Calling me up for the first time has motivated me."

Milton Karisa, who joined Moroccan Premier League side Mouloudia Club D'Oujda last month, and Tout Puissant Mazembe new boy Benson Joseph Ochaya have been included.

After failing to lead the Uganda Cranes to a win against Tanzania last month in his first match in the AFCON qualifiers as head coach, Desabre is finding himself under increasing pressure to deliver results.

Uganda's final 24-man squad

Denis Onyango, Salim Jamal Magoola, Charles Lukwago, Murushid Juuko, Isaac Isinde, Timothy Awanyi, Denis Iguma, Nicholas Wadada, Godfrey Walusimbi, Isaac Muleme, Joseph Ochaya, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda, Saddam Ibrahim Juma, Taddeo Lwanga, Moses Waisswa, Khalid Aucho, Allan Kateregga, Farouk Miya, Emmanuel Okwi, Edris Lubega, Derrick Nsibambi, Milton Karisa, Allan Kyambadde and Patrick Kaddu.

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