Uganda U20 national team coach Matia Lule is over the moon after witnessing consistency in his team over the past three years. Lule handled the Cranes U-17 side against Seychelles in 2014 and several names have resurfaced in the squad that is preparing for next month’s Cosafa U20 Regional Championship in Zambia.
Onduparaka’s midfielder Gadhaffi Wahab is part of the squad that began preparations for the underage competition for Southern Africa region early this week. Uganda is pooled alongside hosts Zambia, Swaziland and Malawi in Group A for the December 6-16 tournament. Wahab, 18, is one of the 12 players that were summoned from the Azam Uganda Premier League with other familiar names like Proline goalkeeper Saidi Keni, KCCA’s Mustafa Kizza and goal machine Muhammad Shaban.
Shaban, who has struck six league goals in 225 minutes, and Alex Komakech played under Lule in Africa U17 Qualifiers three years ago. “I am preparing the team for the best and looking forward to make the latter stages of the tournament,” Lule told the press. “I am also happy for the reunion of players from the U17 team that I handled in 2014. The project shows signs of continuity.”
2017 COSAFA U20 CHAMPIONSHIP
GROUP A: Zambia, Swaziland, Uganda, Malawi
GROUP B: South Africa, Egypt, Mozambique, Mauritius
GROUP C: Angola, Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe
UGANDA U-20 SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Saidi Keni (Proline FC) & Ali Mwirusi (Kibuli SS)
Outfield players: Musitafa Mujuzi (Proline FC), Mustafa Kizza (KCCA FC), Alex Komakech (Nyamityobora FC), Sharif Muhammmad Ochaya (Express FC JT), Raymond Onyau (Kataka FC), Clinton Komugisha (Mbarara FC JT), Victor Matovu (Aspire Football Academy), Bashir Asiku (St Mary’s Kitende), Charles Sebutinde (Nyamityobora FC), Shafik Kagimu (URA FC), Pius Obuya (Maroons FC), Methodius Jungu (Bright Stars FC), Fred Okot (URA FC), Nicholas Kasozi (SC Villa), Gadafi Wahab (Onduparaka FC), Hamis Tibita (BUL FC), Nicholas Kagaba (URA FC) and Muhammmad Shaban (KCCA FC)
Coaches: Matia Lule, James Odoch, Sam Kawalya
This writer is a scribe with Daily Monitor Newspaper and, also a sports presenter with NBS Television and Radio One FM 90 in Kampala. Follow him on Twitter: @AllanDarren and his Facebook Page: Darren Allan Kyeyune