Rhinos off to Baku for FIFA U-15 World Cup campaign

FIFA U-15 World Cup

Uganda Rhinos

 Group U Fixtures

Saturday

 Kyrgyz Republic v Uganda 11:45am

Sunday

Uganda v Equatorial Guinea 10:30am

Monday

Ecuador v Uganda 9:15am

“We want these boys to learn from the tournament, gain confidence and understand what it takes to compete against teams from different parts of the world,” Bongole said.

The Rhinos left Uganda on Wednesday with a squad of 14 players selected from 24 youngsters who had spent nearly three weeks in camp at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.

The tournament, scheduled for Thursday to 31, brings together more than 180 FIFA member associations, with teams divided into 32 groups. Matches will be played in an eight-a-side format, with two 20-minute halves.

Bongole will be looking to see his players apply the lessons from camp, adapt to different opponents and return home better prepared for future international competitions.

“Our preparations have helped us identify the players we need. The boys must stay disciplined, work together and make the most of this opportunity to develop,” he said.

Uganda is in Group U alongside Cape Verde, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Kyrgyz Republic and Tonga. The Rhinos begin against Kyrgyz Republic on Saturday , face Equatorial Guinea on Sunday  and play Ecuador on Monday.

After the group stage, teams will be placed into six performance tiers based on their results. Every team will continue competing, with a winner crowned in each tier and the Tier A winner recognised as the overall champion.

El Cambio Soccer Academy has the largest representation in the Uganda squad, with five players: Sudaisi Kimuli, Frank Baluku, Ian Wafula, Angello Kasumba and Jefferson Kwikiriza.

Prosper Soccer Academy has four players: Swalleh Maganda, Patson Muhimbo, Victor Bonny Ogwang and Mathias Muwonge.

The other players are Ashiraf Kyeswa of Jinja S.S, Najib Zizinga of Isra Soccer Academy, Jonah Muwanguzi of Msingi Soccer Academy, Ethan Tendo Ssaazi Bakiika of Proline Soccer Academy and Ivan Kiganda of Rays of Grace.

Bongole will be assisted by goalkeeping coach Kagawa Alamanzan. The delegation also includes team manager Baker Lukooya, team doctor Uthuman Nayenga and media officer George William Muliika, with Dan Obote serving as leader of delegation.

Uganda Rhinos Squad

Swalleh Maganda (Prosper SA), Sudaisi Kimuli (El Cambio SA), Ashiraf Kyeswa (Jinja S.S), Patson Muhimbo (Prosper SA), Victor Bonny Ogwang (Prosper SA), Najib Zizinga (Isra SA), Frank Baluku (El Cambio SA), Jonah Muwanguzi (Msingi SA), Ian Wafula (El Cambio SA), Ethan Tendo Ssaazi Bakiika (Proline SA), Angello Kasumba (El Cambio SA), Ivan Kiganda (Rays of Grace), Mathias Muwonge (Prosper SA) and Jefferson Kwikiriza (El Cambio SA).