Team Uganda heads to Algiers for Africa Cross-country Championship

Saturday

Africa Cross-country

Algiers, Algeria

For Thomas Ayeko, Phillip Kipyeko, Mercyline Chelangat and Stella Chesang there is one more build-up to the Commonwealth Games.

The four runners are part of Uganda's team to the Africa Cross-country Championship this weekend.

The contingent of 17 athletes and three officials departs tomorrow for Saturday's biennial African meet in the Algerian capital, Algiers..

The four senior runners will return in time for departure with the rest of the Ugandan contingent for the April 4 to 15 Gold Coast games.

The Algiers bound team contingent will be flagged off at Lugogo this morning.

Head coach Benjamin Njia is confident we will shine in Algiers. "I am confident of pulling off a good performance, "he stated from the team's camp in Kapchorwa on Monday.

Kipyeko who won silver at the last African meet in Cameroon leads Uganda's quest for gold.

Charles Mukiibi will lead the contingent accompanied fellow officials Njia and Moses Kifaya.

The team-Senior Men (10km) -Thomas  Ayeko, Kipyeko, Nelson Wakana, Mande Bushendich and Sam Cherop.

Senior Women (10km) - Mercyline Chelangat, Stella Chesang, Janat Chemusto and Linet Chebet.

U-20 Junior Women (6km) - Sarah Chelangat, Peruth Chemutai, Belinda Chemutai and Risper  Chebet.

U-20 Junior Men (8km) - Victor Kiplangat, Denis Cherotich, Hosea Kiplangat and Mathew Chekwurui.

Four athletes on the team are however no strangers to the Africa Cross Country having represented Uganda in the 2016 edition in Cameroon.

Besides 2016 runner-up Kipyeko, Chesang finished 9, while Bushendich and Chemusto who were juniors in then were 11 and 8 respectively.