Colorado Rapids midfielder Micheal Azira has been called in to the Uganda national team for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Azira, 29, has been training with the Cranes for about two weeks, the Rapids said. Uganda has tune-up games against Tunisia on Wednesday and Slovakia on Sunday.
In the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament, Uganda will face Ghana on Jan. 17, Egypt on Jan. 21 and Mali on Jan. 25. The tournament quarterfinals are on Jan 28-29, the semifinals are on Feb. 1-2 and the final is scheduled for Feb. 5. If the Cranes advance, Azira could miss the beginning of Rapids training camp.
Azira had a breakout 2016 season in his first year with the Rapids, setting career highs in games played (31), starts (28) and minutes (2503). He also recorded his first career assist, Oct. 8 at Houston.
The Rapids signed Azira to a “long-term” deal on Dec. 12. Terms of deal were not disclosed.
