By Robert Kayindi James
Ugandan midfielder and Colorado Rapids star, Mike Azira has opted out of the 21-man squad summoned by coach Micho on Wednesday last week ahead of two major ties for the national football team, the Uganda Cranes.
After a tough pile of matches in the US Major Soccer League, Azira has found himself fatigued and physically unfit to play for the team and chose to not come. He has since communicated to FUFA and will now be replaced by Orlando Pirates midfielder Yassar Mugerwa.
“Football needs honest and professional people. Azira follows in the footsteps of National team players like Tony Mawejje who honestly informed FUFA that he was not fit to play for the team when he was summoned for duty in 2014,” reads a statement on the federation’s website.
Meanwhile, training and preparations for the team are set to kick off on Tuesday morning with drills in the gym at Acacia Mall.
Uganda are preparing to take on Zimbabwe on the 31st of May in an international friendly match ahead of a huge tie against Botswana on the 4th of June-2016 in the Group D 2017 AFCON qualifiers.
According to reports from the local football governing body, the technical and medical team will be closely monitoring the physical fitness of Moses Oloya (Binh Duong) and first team goalkeeper, Denis Masinde Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns) who picked minor injuries while at their clubs.
Among the summoned players; Salim Jamal, Faruku Miya and Murushidi Juuko are already in the country while captain Geoffrey Massa will also be available by training time. Emma Okwi and Kizito Luwagga will also have flown in by the end of Tuesday.