CAF U-20 Qualifiers:
Saturday, 2nd April 2016
Rwanda U-20 vs. Uganda U-20 – Kigali Regional Stadium, Nyamirambo
The Uganda national U-20 team (The Hippos) is expected to conduct their final training session on Thursday at the KCCA Stadium in Lugogo.
There after, head coach, Kefa Kisala will name the 18 man squad that will depart on Friday morning aboard Rwanda Airlines for the first leg of the CAF U-20 qualifiers that will take place on Saturday, 2nd April 2016 at the Kigali Regional Stadium, Nyamirambo.
“We have the last training session on Friday and thereafter the head coach and his technical team will name the final list of players traveling to Rwanda” Herbert ‘Masanda’ Nsubuga, the team manager said.
U-17 graduates Eric Kibowa (goalkeeper), hard tackling but decent midfielder Emmanuel ‘Song’ Olinga are strong contenders to make the final team.
Other sure team prospects include; Vipers duo of Kezironi Kizito and Halid Lwaliirwa, Masaka S.S’ Ronald ‘Jjaja Walu’ Nkonge, KCCA midfielder Julius Poloto, Proline prolific forward Edirisa Lubega and Express’ Yafesi Mubiru.
The team will miss the proven and tested forwards, Muhammed Shaban (Onduparaka) and Joseph Jjanjali (Masaka S.S) who declined the national team call for varying reasons.
Other players who missed training are; Frank ‘Zagga’ Tumwesigye and midfielder Pius Wanji of Vipers Sports Club.
“It pains missing key players but we expect them for the second leg which will be held in three week’s time” head coach Kefa Kisala, who is also tactician at URA F.C said.
Wanji and Tumwesigye are with St Mary’s Kitende in the Copa qualifiers whilst Jjanjali has a fear that when turns up for the national U-20 team, he will be ineligible for the 2016 Buganda Masaza football tournament.
Onduparaka goalkeeper, Alimanzi Nafiani is also unavailable due to unclear reasons.
Kisala added in a few players like The Saints’ left back, Hassan Musana and former U-17 national team captain, Andrew Isiagi who plays right back and is hopeful, the available players will do the job.
“We had called so many players who are equal to the task” Kisala who is expected to name the team captain and final team on Thursday added.
Kisala is assisted by Richard Wasswa, Arthur Kyesimira and goalkeeping coach, Daniel Kiwanuka.
Originally Summoned Players:
Goalkeepers: Saidi Keni (Proline FC), James Ahebwa (Vipers), Alimanzi Nafiani (Onduparaka FC), Eric Kibowa (SC Victoria University)
Defenders: Geofrey Wasswa (Kibuli SS), Umaru Mukobe (BUL FC), Peter Onzima (Jinja S.S), Juma Kasozi (Jinja SS), Ronald ‘Jaja Walu’ Nkonge (Masaka SS), Halid Lwalirwa (SC Vipers), Bashir Asiku (SC Vipers), Fred Okot (Lweza FC),
Midfielders: Noordin Bunjo (Proline FC), Emmanuel Oringa (Water FC), Allan Okello (Kibuli SS/KCCA FC), Ronald Kikonyogo (KCCA FC), Julius Poloto (KCCA FC), Ibrahim Mugulusi (Kawempe Muslim SS), Stephen Okot (Masaka SS), Sophas Kaweke (Edgars Youth Programme), Frank Tumwesigye (SC Vipers), Pius Wangi (SC Vipers), Mubiru Yafesi (Express FC), Kizito Keziron (SC Vipers), Kagimu Shafiq (URA FC), Shafi Basani (Sadolin FC), Yasin Mugume (The Saints), Hassan Kalega (Sc Vipers), Daniel Shabena (JMC Hippos)
Strikers: Edrisa Lubega (Proline FC), Luboyera Azake (Edgars Youth Programme), Joseph Janjali (Masaka SS), Alfred Lekku (SC Vipers), Musa Esenu (Soana FC), Shaban Muhammad (Onduparaka FC), Nicholas Kanyankole (Busia Fisheries FC)
