Uganda Cranes defender Kasagga departs for trials in South Africa

Uganda Cranes defender Richard Kasagga on Friday left for Johannesburg, South Africa to undergo professional trials with a Premier League side Mpumalanga Black Aces.

Head coach of the national team, Milutin 'Mich' Sredojevic, told Xinhua that the defender will be attending trials till late next week.

"We are happy that Richard has secured a chance to have trials and we hope to have him join the national team in Alexandria next weekend for U-23 Championship/2016 Olympics Games qualifier against Egypt," he said.

On Monday Kasagga captained the Cranes team to a 1-0 away loss to Malawi Flames in Blantyre. The defender formerly with Kira FC and KCCA FC in the Uganda Premier League recently returned from a six month loan deal with Salam Zgharta in the Lebanon Super League.

Three other Uganda Cranes players Yasser Mugerwa, Saidi Kyeyune and striker Frank Kalanda also left for trials with South African teams early this week.

South Africa's Orlando Pirates who beat URA FC in the first round of the CAF Confederations Cup are hosting Mugerwa and Kyeyune for trials, while Kalanda is being tested by Free State Stars FC.

Striker Geoffrey Massa (Bloemfontein City), Boban Zirintusa (Polokwane City) and goalkeeper Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns) are the only Ugandan players currently featuring in the South African Premier League. Endi