With 24 days before the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) kicks off next month in Gabon, Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic’s preparations are taking shape, reports JOHN VIANNEY NSIMBE.
The Cranes’ residential camp was in high spirits yesterday following the arrival of midfielder Tonny Mawejje and defender Murushid Jjuuko.
However, going by Monday’s activities, which included gym work at Acacia mall and ball work at Kabira country club, it was evident the players had lost a stone or two of fitness. They quickly tired after short work-outs and their movement on-and- off the ball was slow and laboured.
It is against such background that Micho has decided to conduct three training sessions for the next few days to get to a level where his players are competitive.
In an interview with The Observer last weekend, Micho’s assistant Moses Basena said one of their main concerns was player fitness as the team regrouped on Monday.
And to justify his concerns, with effect from yesterday, The Cranes embarked on a training regime that begins very early in the morning at 6am for at least two hours.
They then take a break to have breakfast before having a breather until 11am, when the second session gets underway till 1pm. They then wind up the day with an evening work-out from 5pm to 7pm.
The Cranes, who qualified for Afcon finals after 38 years, kick off their campaign against Ghana on January 17.