No rest for U-17s ahead of return leg

By Swalley Kenyi   

THE national U-17 football team is expected to return to the country Tuesday night and will head straight to camp in Njeru to prepare for the return leg of the 2015 African U-17 Championship qualifier.

The Uganda Cubs will play Seychelles in the return leg of the first round at Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium on Saturday, June 28.

FUFA had planned to release the team for three days’ rest before they regroup for training but the technical director Asuman Lubowa said Tuesday morning that it would be risky because getting the players back in time for the return leg will not be easy.

“They (players) were supposed to rest but it is not a good idea especially because some of the players come from far. They will go straight to camp (Tuesday night) and rest on Wednesday,” Lubowa said.

He said that FUFA would devise other means like paying them all that is due to them as a way of motivation to keep them focused on the return leg. Each of the players expects to get sh190000 for the 19 days they will be on national duty and $200 (sh500000) away-match bonus.

Uganda has better chances of advancing to the second round of the African U-17 Championship qualifiers after their 2-1 first leg victory in Seychelles last Saturday. The team needs any draw or a minimum of 1-0 loss in the return leg in Kampala to advance.

The winner of the clashes on aggregate will face Rwanda, who are already in the second round of the qualifiers. The Uganda Cubs are one of the 38 countries registered for qualifiers of the Africa U-17 Championship that will be held in Niger next year.

Goalkeepers

E. Kibowa (Buddo S.S), A. R. Mwirusi (Entebbe Airforce), E. Kasibante (Bukalagi High School)

Defenders

A. Komakech (St Julian), A. Okiring (Carlisle in USA), C. Sebutinde (St Edward's Bukumi), B. Asiku (Risah Standard Academy), S. Kato Nemeyumana (Buddo)

Midfielders

J. Poloto (Kasawo S.S), J. Jangeyambe (St Julian), S. Bongomin (St Joseph's Layibi), B. Nsubuga (St Janan Lumu), E. Cwinyi Oting (St Julian), F. Tumwesigye (Kakungulu Memorial), M. Mukalazi (St Mary's Kitende)

Strikers

E. Olinga (Gor Mahia Academy), K. Luwalo (St Joseph's College, Layibi), P. Obuya (Risah Standard Academy), E. Bida (Teremunga PS), S. Muhammed (Arua Public School), I. Mpaata (Oshwal Academy)

Technical

M. Lule (head coach), P. Onen (first assistant), M. Byekwaso (second assistant), H. Nsubuga (co-ordinator), J. Magala (goalkeeping coach), Jack Walugembe (team physician)