Uganda Volleyball Cranes head coach Shilla Omuriwe has named the team that will represent Uganda in the CAVB Zone V Nations Qualifiers.
The team was revealed Tuesday morning through the Uganda Volleyball Federation social media channels.
Omuriwe, who is returning to the helm of the team she guided to fifth place in the 2021 African Championship, has gone with familiar faces.
Of the 14 players named, nine were part of the 2021 squad and will be familiar with the tactician’s ways.
George Aporu, Smith Okumu, Daudi Okello, Bernard Malinga and Emmanuel Elanyu are some of the seasoned campaigners trusted with delivering Uganda to the African championship again.
The five have been part of the national team set up for a while and carry the experience needed in the competition.
Rwandan based pair of Gideon Angiro and Marino Oboke will also play a big role.
Angiro made his debut for Uganda in 2021 and has since gone on to rise through ranks and become arguably Uganda’s most important player.
He turns out for Police Volleyball Club of Rwanda and played in the CAVB Men’s Club Championship final early this month.
Oboke features for Kepler and was Okumu’s understudy in Kigali, Rwanda five years ago.
Jonathan Tumukunde and Sharif Nabangi were also part of the team in 2021.
The new faces on the team include Duke Kyomukama, Mohammed Iga, Owen Omoding, John Bosco Opila and Willington Talemwa.
Uganda will face competition from teams like Kenya, South Sudan, Burundi and Tanzania in a bid to qualify for the continental showpiece slated for September in Kinshasa, Congo.
The zonal qualifiers will run from May 31 to June 5 at the Lugogo Indoor Stadium in Kampala.
CAVB Zone V Nations Qualifiers
Volleyball Cranes squad
Receiver Attackers
Gideon Angiro, George Aporu, Duke Kyomukama, Jonathan Tumukunde
Liberos
Emmanuel Elanyu, Sharif Nabanji
Setters
Marino Oboke, Smith Okumu
Opposites
Mohammed Iga, Daudi Okello
Middle Blockers
Owen Omoding, John Bosco Opila, Willington Talemwa, Bernard Malinga