The Uganda Hippos have been ridding on a high of late and will head into the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations U20 tournament with a lot of optimism.
The team coached by Morley Byekwaso are the defending champions of the CECAFA U20 tournament, one they won in Tanzania last year.
As they prepare for Africa’s showpiece in Mauritania later this month, they are currently in Tanzania for a Mimi tournament that is supposed to sharpen them up for the AFCON finals.
Having arrived in Dar es Salaam on Monday, the Hippos will take on Tanzania in their first game of the Mini tournament on Wednesday afternoon.
Speaking ahead of the game, Hippos head coach Byekwaso says that the game will be used to find out how much work the team’s attack has done since the preparations started.
“We have worked well on our attacking department. We need to practice more on scoring as it will help us a lot in the final tournament. Said Byekwaso.
“The game against Tanzania in the Mini tournament will help us find out how much work has been done in attack.”
The Hippos have been scoring lots of goals in the past, something that has proved key to their success.
At the 2020 CECAFA Cup, Byekwaso’s side scored in all but one game, netting a total of 13 goals in just four games including four in the final against Tanzania.
Byekwaso also knows that scoring goals is key in winning games matches.
“There is no win that comes without scoring. He continued.
“My Boys are hunters, they are thirsty for goals and will score. It will be a good test.”
Uganda is slated to play two games in the mini tournament.
After Tanzania on Wednesday, they will play another game on Saturday, February 13 before heading to Mauritania on the 10th.
At the AFCON finals, Uganda is in Group B alongside Mozambique, Cameroon and the hosts.
They will face Mozambique in the first match on 15th February 2021. The second match will be on 17th February against Cameroon before taking on Mauritania in the last group match on 20th February 2021.
Squad in Tanzania
Goalkeepers
Komakech Jack (Ascent SA), Oyo Delton (Busoga United FC), Ssenyondwa Denis Kaala (SC Villa).
Defenders
Kizito Mugweri Gavin (SC Villa), Semakula Kenneth (Busoga United FC), Musa Ramathan (KCCA FC) Kafumbe Joseph (KCCA FC), Begisa James Penz (UPDF FC), Baligeya Simon (Kibuli SS), Abdul Azizi Kayondo (Vipers SC)
Midfielders
Mugulusi Isma (Busoga United FC), Yiga Najib (Vipers SC), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Vipers SC) Sserwadda Steven (KCCA FC), Eyamu Ivan (Mbarara City FC), Kawooya Andrew (KCCA FC), Asaba Ivan (Vipers SC), Ssekajja Davis (Bright Stars FC), Wabyoona Faisal (Big Talent SA).
Forwards
Bogere Ivan (Proline FC), Ssenyonjo Samuel (KCCA FC), Kakooza Derrick (Police FC), Basangwa Richard (Vipers SC), Bukenya Joseph Kizza (KCCA FC), Ssali Alpha Thierry (Proline FC).
