Uganda Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has named a 25-man provisional squad to commence the first phase of preparations ahead of Afcon 2017 that will be held from 15 January to 4 February in Gabon.

The Serbian tactician has earmarked four non-residential practice sessions that will commence on 23-24 November before coming back together from 27-28 November.

Micho’s move comes after the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup scheduled to start last Saturday was left in the balance with no approved venue yet and no sufficient update from the regional body.

“We have two filters for the locally based and available players who have to show what they are capable of as we look to select the squad that will play at the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon in January,” Micho told supersport.com on Monday.

Micho will on Wednesday release the official detailed program of the Cranes preparations and will on 30 November unveil the full provisional squad to prepare for the continental showpiece as Uganda returns to the Nations Cup for the first time since 1978.

Midfield maestro Tonny Mawejje, goalkeeper Salim Jamal, Godfrey Walusimbi, Geoffrey Kizito, Yunus Sentamu and Shafiq Batambuze are some of the foreign-based players who will attend the non-residential training sessions.

Muhammad Shaban, Kizito Keziron, Erisa Sekisambu, Timothy Awanyi, Paul Mucurezi and Ismail Watenga are some of the locally based youngsters who will be looking to impress Micho for a breakthrough into the first team.

Uganda are in group D along with 2015 Afcon finalists Ghana, seven-time record champions Egypt as well as Mali.

The Cranes open their campaign against Ghana on 17 January at Stade de Port Gentil before facing the Pharaohs four days later at the same venue. Uganda will then take on Mali at Stade d’Oyem on 25 January.

Uganda Cranes' provisional squad for non-residential training

Salim Jamal, Benjamin Ochan, Ismail Watenga, Nicholas Wadada, Denis Okot, Shafiq Batambuze, RashidToha, Richard Kassaga, KhalidLwaliwa, Timothy Awanyi, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda, Tony Mawejje, GeoffreyKizito, Kizito Keziron, MuzamirMutyaba, Sadam Juma, Erisa Sekisambu, Paul Mucurezi, Godfrey Walusimbi, Edrisa Lubega, Yunus Sentamu, Derrick Nsibambi, Geoffrey Serunkuma and Shaban Muhammad.