Midfielder Tonny Mawejje of Uganda summoned for the 2022 Africa Cup o
Midfielder Tonny Mawejje was one of the surprise picks among the home-based players, that Cranes coach Johnathan McKinstry summoned for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with South Sudan later this month.
In fact, for a host of football commentators, Mawejje’s call-up has been frowned at, because it is the first time he received a Cranes camp since October 2017. Mawejje’s last game was under former Cranes coach Moses Basena, the goalless draw with Ghana at Namboole in the futile 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.
However, The Observer has learnt that Mawejje’s call up is to assess whether he can aid The Cranes at the African Nations Championship (Chan) tournament in Cameroon next year. According to Cranes assistant coach Abdallah Mubiru, his boss McKinstry asked for Mawejje in order to assess him and his current physical shape.
“Mawejje is not for the South Sudan double header. But we think, when we go for Chan next year, the coach believes adding at least two experienced players to guide the younger ones is crucial. That is something we believe Mawejje can do, if he meets the grade,” Mubiru said.
The Police FC coach, where Mawejje is also captain, added that in 2016, Zambia had its 2012 Africa Cup of Nations captain Christopher Katongo on the team at the Chan in Rwanda. His experience helped Zambia beat Uganda. Such is the leadership Mawejje would bring, if he were in the Chan camp. That said, Mujib Kasule, a Fifa coaching instructor, is one who was set aback by news that Mawejje was summoned for The Cranes camp.
He said: “I am not so sure what Uganda’s strategic technical/ football plan is. Since Mawejje has been overlooked for three years, the purpose of calling him now suggests we are in a crisis, which I doubt is the case.”
Uganda has got a host of younger midfielders, that have been knocking on the team’s door of recent. And therefore, there is no better time than now, to unleash them, according to Kasule. A case in point, Shafik Kagimu, Nicholas Kasozi, Yusuf Ssozi, Saidi Kyeyune, Gift Ali, Rahmat Senfuka, David Owori and Siraje Sentamu are in their prime, to get a shot at the big time.
And, therefore, the return of Mawejje, particularly for the Chan, will block them. Former Maroons FC coach Asaph Mwebaze feels that the Chan tournament is about showcasing new and young talent, so that it can be spotted by scouts.
So, a player like Mawejje, who returned home recently, after ten or so years playing professional football in Iceland and Armenia, before heading to the Middle East in 2018, should not be a priority now. Mubiru said that Mawejje will not be blocking the path of any emerging player, but providing guidance to the younger ones on how to do it on the international stage.
That is if Mawejje makes the final 23-man Chan squad he is being prepared for. And even if Mawejje, who played at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, and has won a couple of Cecafa titles does, Mubiru said, there is no guarantee he will play, but even the psychological and moral support is key to a team winning.
With Mawejje’s good personality and discipline since he made his Cranes debut back in 2005, such is expected of him beyond the good football he has exhibited over the years.
