Saturday, the 2nd April 2016, marks exactly four years since the Uganda Hippos (National U-20 football team) bowed out of the Africa U-20 qualifiers after losing 4-3 on aggregate to the Ghana Black Satellites at the Tamale Sports Stadium in Accra.
After a comfortable 3-0 result at Nakivubo stadium in Kampala, Uganda lost 4-0 away to get eliminated.
The development arrives at a time when the current Hippos side is set to play Rwanda in a two legged qualifier before the successful winner over the two legs faces Egypt at the next level for a slot at the Africa U-20 championship slated for a September 2016 in Zambia.
Kawowo Sports’ David Isabirye looks back at the team that traveled to West Africa.
Led by the then FUFA Vice President in charge of Technical matters Stone Kyambadde, the contingent had 18 players.
Magoola Salim (Express): He was the first choice goalkeeper on the team. He later transferred to rivals, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) football club before he was signed by Sudanese giants, El Merriekh Football club.
Emmanuel Kalyowa (Simba): He was the second choice goalie to Magoola.
Samuel Ssenkoomi (URA): Ssenkoomi is a solid central defender at URA F.C.
Simon Namwanja (Proline): Left back at Proline. He switched to KCCA before making a return to Proline Soccer Academy.
The Bugonga in Entebbe born and rised player was voted the most outstanding young player in the 2013/14 season of the league.
Joseph Ochaya (KCC F.C): Ochaya was arguably the biggest beneficial from the West African trip.
Then at KCC F.C, the lanky left back impressed football scouts at the Tamale sports stadium despite Uganda heavy 4-0 loss on the day
He was thereafter signed by Asante Kotoko football club but returned to KCCA F.C after one and a half seasons.
He is part of the Uganda Cranes and featured prominently at CECAFA 2015 in Ethiopia, CHAN 2016 and is part of the AFCON 2017 qualification campaign team.
Misi Katende (SC Villa): Then at Sports Club Villa but he ventured at Soana football club.
He is now back at the Jogoos and part of the backline that has played four matches at the CAF Confederation cup.
Denis Makoba (Proline): The diminutive but intelligent central defender traveled as a Proline club player.
He left the club for a stint in the mid-East before he returned to join Kira Young F.C which got relegated at the apex of the 2014/15 season.
He played one half of the current 2015/16 season with Sports Club Victoria University (SCVU) and he quit the club to return to the parent club, Proline, which is currently leading the tables in the Rwenzori group of the second division league, The FUFA Big league.
Nicholas Wadada (Bunamwaya): Then at Bunamwaya football club, now Vipers Sports Club, Wadada traveled as the first choice right back.
He is still at Vipers Sports Club where he is skipper.
Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa (Proline): He was the team captain at Proline and the Uganda Hippos then.
He is now at Vipers Sports Club.
Joseph Mpande (Bunamwaya): The composed midfielder was at Bunamwaya (now Vipers) which he left at the end of December 2015 in an unclear transfer controversial deal to Myanmar.
Robert Omonuk (Simba): The dancing left footed winger was at the army side, Simba which he later left for the Kenya Premier League.
He is still a solider and returns every edition of the military games to feature for the side.
Julius Ogwang (Express): The pacy and ball sensed players was and still a forward at the Red Eagles’ team – Express Football Club.
Fred Nkata (Bombo United): Then at Bombo United, the talented pint sized left back was the only non league side player on the team.
He then joined Sports Club Villa which he left unceremoniously for a brief stint at Kira Young.
Nkata is now with his father at Tusker Football club in the Kenya Premier League.
Geofrey ‘Baba’ Kizito (Vietnam): He was the only professional on the team that made the trip to Ghana.
Then in Vietnam with Binh Dough Football Club, Kizito joined Kenyan giants Gor Mahia which he left after the expiration of his contract.
He is now based in Finnland after a ‘visa hiccup’ dented his chances of joining Malaga in the Spanish La-Liga.
Abubaker Gigi (Proline): One of the junior players on the team then.
He has been at Proline since that time
Aucho Khalid (Simba SC): The two games against Ghana were Khalid Aucho’s turning point in his career.
The left footed midfielder was signed by KPL outfit, Gor Mahia Football Club together with Geofrey ‘Baba’ Kizito.
Todate, he is still committed to the Kenyan side with speculation linking him to clubs in Europe and South Africa.
Erisa Ssekisambu (URA): Then at Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) football club, Ssekisambu traveled as a forward to Ghana.
He left the tax collectors’ side for Sports Club Villa which he left for Vipers sports club where he leads the club’s scoring chart with 11 goals under his name tag.
Ssekisambu was part of the 2015 CECAFA winning team, played and scored at the 2016 CHAN finals in Rwanda and he featured in Uganda’s goal-less home draw against Burkina Faso in the AFCON 2017 Qualifiers.
William Wadri (Proline Soccer Academy): The intelligent forward was then at Proline Soccer Academy.
He left the club for a loan stint at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) football Club which he left at the end of the 2014/15 season.
Wadri is now at the Uganda Premier League (UPL ) reigning champions, Vipers Sports Club.
