COSAFA U-20 Tournament
- 6th – 16th December 2017
- In Zambia
Uganda U-20 team (The Hippos) head coach Mathias Lule faced a litmus test when announcing the final team for the COSAFA U-20 tournament in Zambia.
Among the key decisions Lule faced was reducing the originally summoned number of over 33 players to the final 20 players.
After five days of intensive training at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole and African Bible University, the final team was named on Sunday evening.
Of the twenty travelling players are three goalkeepers; Eric Kibowa, Keni Saidi and Ali Mwerusi.
Team captain Muhammad Shaban and his assistant Julius Poloto are some of the KCCA players on the team.
The other KCCA player on the team is left footed gem Allan Okello.
Exciting Vipers midfielder Frank ‘Zagga’ Tumwesigye, Maroons’ Pius ‘TZ Iniesta’ Obuya and URA’s Shafiq Kagimu are the bed rock of the talented crop of midfielders on the team.
Steven Mukwala, a young forward with Vipers, Baden Mujahid (Vipers) and BUL’s Hamis Tibita are the natural attackers on the team.
Missing
There is no place however for Canadian based forward Azake Luboyera (recovering from a knee injury), defender Bashir Asiku, Onduparaka midfielder Gadafi Wahabu and URA’s Nicholas Kagaba.
The other injured players left behind are; Bob Kilama of Football for Good Football Academy in Gulu and Kataka Football Club’s Raymond Derrick Onyai (sprained arm).
Not even Lule’s biological son, Charles Ssebutinde, who features at Big League side Nyamityobora was spared over suspect form.
“It was a good try out for all the players and we had to choose the best. We are not going to participate but to compete,” Lule told Kawowo Sports.
The team skipper Shaban oozes with confidence ahead of the tournament.
“It will be revenge time when we take on Zambia. There is a lot of unfinished business. We need to use this chance and beat them too. We need the main trophy,” the KCCA striker, who had a stormy transfer from Onduparaka stated before departure.
The team departed on Monday morning (3:00 a.m) via Addis Ababa.
FUFA Delegate Hajji Abbas Ssendyowa is the head of delegation.
Uganda is in the same group as the hosts Zambia, Swaziland
Travelling Contingent
Players
- Goalkeepers: Eric Kibowa (Vipers/ St Marys Kitende), Keni Saidi (Proline), Ali Mwerusi (St Marys’ Kitende)
- Right Backs: Fred Okot (URA), Andrew Okiringi (USA)
- Left Backs: Mustapha Kizza (KCCA), Victor Matovu (Aspire Academy, Qatar)
- Central Defenders: Mustapha Mujjuzi (Proline), Geoffrey Wasswa (Vipers)
- Holding Midfielders: Abubaker Muhammed Kasule (Express), Julius Poloto (KCCA)
- Wingers: David Owori (Proline) Pius Obuya (Maroons)
- Offensive midfielders: Frank Tumwesigye (Vipers), Shafiq Kagimu (URA), Allan Okello (KCCA)
- Forwards: Muhammad Shaban (KCCA), Mujahid Baden (Vipers), Steven Mukwala (Vipers), Hamis Tibita (BUL)
Officials
- Head of Delegation: Hajji Abas Ssendyowa
- Head coach: Mathias Lule
- Assistant Coach: James Odoch
- Goalkeeping Coach: Samuel Kawalya
- Team Manager: Suliat Makumbi
- Team Doctor: Ivan Ssewanyana
- Official: Lawrence Kizito
- Media Officer: Farid Mpagi
