After releasing his 26-man provisional squad on Wednesday, Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic dropped the hint that he will not tolerate low any below-par players in his final team to face Ghana and Guinea.

Both games, slated for November 15 and 19 respectively, are must-wins for Uganda if The Cranes are to qualify for the 2015 Nations Cup.

Accordingly, Micho has set Sunday’s international friendly match against Ethiopia at Mandela National stadium, Namboole as the only test for the home players on the squad, which includes 12 foreign based players.

The best performers from Sunday’s friendly match will be retained, Micho stated.

All this means that slots in the final squad are up for grabs following back-to-back (0-1) defeats to Togo last month. The Cranes, who have played at Afcon finals since 1978, slipped to third place on Group E table standings with four points.

Uganda had made a perfect start to the campaign after holding Ghana 1-1 in Kumasi and beating Guinea 2-0 at home in the opening rounds of the qualifiers. And to save this campaign, Micho is demanding from the more from home-based players.

This explains why the Serbian-born tactician excluded Denis Iguma.

The right-back has not been playing in the local league after his SC Victoria University suspended him. In the same vein, the coach handed Vipers’ midfielder Keziron Kizito a first national team call-up, thanks to the player’s good form. However, the most notable figure is Mike Serumaga, who makes a comeback after two years out.

Victory over Ethiopia could provide the confidence and momentum. Meanwhile, continental soccer body, CAF has appointed Sudanese officials for Uganda’s match against Ghana.

El Fadil Mohamed Hussein will be the centre referee, assisted by compatriots Waleed Ahmed Ali and Mohammed Idam Hamid. Abdel Gadir Abdel is the reserve referee.

Provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: Robert Odongkara (St George), Jamal Salim (El Merriekh), Ismail Watenga (Vipers) and Brian Bwete (URA) Defenders: Godfrey Walusimbi (Gor Mahia), Julius Ntambi (Kira Young) Martin Kizza (Tusker), Isaac Isinde (St George), Savio Kabugo (SCVU), Habibu Kavuma (KCC), Richard Kasagga (KCC)

Midfielders: Tonny Mawejje (Haugesund, Norway), Hassan Wasswa (SC Villa), Brian Majwega (KCC), Kizito Keziron (Vipers), Faruku Miya, Moses Oloya ( Xuan Than Sai Gon FC), Mike Sserumaga (Lweza), Baker Lukooya (Kira Young), Allan Kyambadde(Vipers), Geofrey Kizito (Gor Mahia), Khalid Aucho (Tusker)

Strikers: Geofrey Massa (Pretoria University), Yunus Sentamu (AS Vita), Robert Ssentongo (URA), Daniel Sserunkuma (Gor Mahia)