Coach names Uganda Cranes to face South Sudan
MENGO – 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.
The team features 3 goalkeepers, 6 defenders, 6 midfielders, and 5 forwards with defender Toto Majub named as captain.
Uganda, the Defending Champions are drawn in Group B alongside Ethiopia, Burundi, and South Sudan.
The Hippos will begin their title defence with a match against Ethiopia on Monday, October 7th, at the Azam Complex, kick-off at 18:00 EAT.
Coach Lule is confident that the team will maintain Uganda’s strong record in youth football and secure a spot at the 2025 AFCON U20 tournament.
The team is expected to fly out this evening aboard Uganda Airlines.
Uganda Hippos Final Squad for AFCON U20 Zonal Qualifiers:
Magada Abdu – URA FC (Goalkeeper)
Nsubuga Chris Ronald – Kataka FC (Goalkeeper)
Mugerwa Denis – Vipers SC JT (Goalkeeper)
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)
Kizito Rayan Figo – Police FC
Kisolo 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)
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 Mpiima
Head Coach: Matia Lule
Assistant Coach: Simeon Massa
Goalkeeping Coach: Stephen Billy Kiggundu
Trainer: Noah Kasule
Team Manager/Safeguarding Officer: Bashir Mutyaba
Team Doctor: Michael Gumisiriza
Physiotherapist: Rashid Kebba
Kit Manager: Frank Bumpenje
Media Officer: Ronald Lusulire
Meanwhile, Uganda Cranes Head Coach Paul Joseph Put has summoned a squad of 27 players ahead of the TotalEnergies double header against South Sudan in the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers.
It should be noted that Uganda will face South Sudan in a double header with the first leg slated for 11th October at Mandela National Stadium while the return leg in Juba will take place on 15th October 2025.
The team will enter residential camp at Cranes Paradise Hotel on 6th October 2024.
Uganda has four points from the opening two games having drawn 2-2 against South Africa and a 2-0 win at home against Congo.
Uganda Cranes Squad
Goalkeepers
Isima Watenga (Golden Arrows FC, South Africa), Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces FC, Ethiopia), Charles Lukwago, Venda FC, South Africa)
Defenders
Gavin Kizito Mugweri (KCCA FC, Uganda), Kenneth Semakula (Club Africaine, Tunisia), Isaac Muleme (Victoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC, Uganda), Abdu Aziizi Kayondo (FC Slovan Liberec, Czech Republic), Bevis Mugabi (Famagusta Anorthosis, Greece), Timothy Awany (FC Ashdod, Israel), Halidi Lwaliwa (Al Ain SC, Saudi Arabia), Arnold Odong (SC Villa, Uganda)
Midfielders
Khalid Aucho (Yanga SC, Tanzania), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Austin II, USA), Taddeo Lwanga (APR FC, Rwanda), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa, Uganda), Allan Okello (Vipers SC, Uganda), Travis Mutyaba (Girondins Bordeaux, France), Saidi Mayanja (KCCA FC, Uganda)
Forwards
Denis Omedi (Kitara FC, Uganda), Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC, Uganda), Shafik Kwikiriza (KCCA FC, Uganda), Rogers Mato (FC Brera Strumica), Derrick Nsibambi (KCCA FC, Uganda), Steven Mukwala (Simba SC, Tanzania), Calvin Kabuye (Sandvikens IF, Sweden)
