Uganda U20 National Team (Hippos) head coach Mathias Lule has named his final 20-man squad for the upcoming AFCON U20 CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers in Tanzania set to take place from October 6th to 20th 2024.
Upto 45 players were called up in the provisional squad, but after vigorous assessment at the FUFA Technical Center, Njeru, 25 have been sent back home, and only 20 will travel with the team to Tanzania.
The team is expected to fly out today (Friday) evening aboard Uganda Airlines.
The selected team has three goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders, and five forwards with defender Toto Majub named as captain.
Initially, six goalkeepers were summoned, but three, including Aziz Saleh (Bukedea Comprehensive), Etuta Siraje (SMASK) and Adrian Isabirye (BUL FT JT) have been dropped.
Hafidhu Ssonko (Amus College), Vincent Mulema (Mbale Heroes), Peter Abalirya (Amus College), Hakim Wandera (Express), Isa Glory Kisuule (Express), Brian Otim (Amus College), and Simon Mukisa (SC Villa) didn’t make the final six-man list of defenders.
Midfielders Frank Katongole (Vipers), Ramsay Jjemba (Police), Khasim Mustapha (Bright Stars), Blanchar Mulamba (Wakiso Giants), Jean Ogwana (Academia Nationals), Ryan Ahabwe (Bright Stars) and Trophy Tamale (SS Club) have all been dropped.
Of the 13 strikers summoned, eight have been dropped, including; Ronald Kaye (NEC), Henry Tenywa (UPDF), Alex Yiga (KCCA), Abbas Kyeyune (Ceramica Cleopatra), Oscar Mawa (Tritium Calcio), Abubakar Mayanja (KCCA), Fazil Tumwiine (Vipers) and Davis Kakande (Wakiso Giants).
Uganda Hippos, who are also the defending champions of the competition have been drawn in Group B, alongside Ethiopia, Burundi, and South Sudan.
The other Group (A) has five countries, including hosts Tanzania, Sudan, Rwanda Djibouti and Kenya.
The tournament will be played between 6th-20th October, 2024, and Uganda will start with Ethiopia on 7th, before playing Burundi on 9th and finalizing the group stage with South Sudan on 11th.
The top two teams in each one of the two Groups (A and B) will face off in the semi-final to decide the best two, who will have automatically earned a ticket straight to next year’s U20 AFCON.
Uganda Hippos Final Squad for AFCON U20 Zonal Qualifiers:
Goalkeepers:
Magada Abdu – URA FC (Goalkeeper)Nsubuga Chris Ronald – Kataka FC (Goalkeeper)Mugerwa Denis – Vipers SC JT (Goalkeeper)
Defenders:
Namaisi Steven – Kataka FC (Defender)Batibwe Charles Okello – Gaddafi FC (Defender)Mpasa Swabiru – BUL FC (Defender)Toto Majub Brian – Amus College School (Defender/Captain)Lwenda Sowedi – BUL FC (Defender)Anguti Amagu Louis – Coastal Union FC (Defender)
Midfielders:
Kizito Rayan Figo – Police FCKisolo Innocent – URA FC/ Bukedea Comprehensive SS (Midfielder)Ssekibengo Godfrey –URA FC/ Bukedea Comprehensive SS (Midfielder)Ssekajugo Elvis – Express FC/ Bukedea Comprehensive SS (Midfielder)Walusimbi Abubakar – Vipers SC (Midfielder)Oyirwoth Allan – Brooke House College and Academy (Midfielder)
Strikers:
Okello Richard – BUL FC Junior Team (Forward)Bashir Mansur – Amus College School (Forward)Kabagambe Johnson – URA FC (Forward)Kisiriko Denis – URA FC (Forward)Ddembe John Paul – BK Hacken, Sweden(Forward)
Team Officials:
Head of Delegation: Samuel MpiimaHead Coach: Matia LuleAssistant Coach: Simeon MassaGoalkeeping Coach: Stephen Billy KiggunduTrainer: Noah KasuleTeam Manager/Safeguarding Officer: Bashir MutyabaTeam Doctor: Michael GumisirizaPhysiotherapist: Rashid KebbaKit Manager: Frank BumpenjeMedia Officer: Ronald Lusulire
