EAST AFRICA’S HOPE: Keeper Onyango to lead Uganda Cranes in flying the region's flag

Uganda's starting eleven (top L to R) defender Joseph Ochaya, goalkeeper Denis Onyango, defender Timothy Awany, midfielder Geoffrey Kizito, midfielder Hassan Wasswa, forward Geoffrey Massa (bottom L to R), defender Denis Iguma, forward Farouk Miya, forward Luwagga Kizito, midfeilder Tony Mawejje, and midfielder Mike Azira pose for a group picture ahead of the friendly football match between Ivory Coast and Uganda at New York University Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 11, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / NEZAR BALOUT

As usual, East Africa will be under-represented when the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations finals kick off in Gabon today.

Only Uganda Cranes will play in the competition leaving Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan and Ethiopia to watch from home.