Ssiimu drops Matovu from U-23 squad
Apr 05, 2011
CONTROVERSY has erupted over the exclusion of Ethiopia based striker Sulaiman ‘Malouda’ Matovu from the U-23 squad for the All Africa Games qualifier against Tanzania due at Nakivubo on April 16.
By Swalley Kenyi
All Africa Games qualifier
Zone 5, April 18
Uganda v Tanzania
Eritrea v Kenya
CONTROVERSY has erupted over the exclusion of Ethiopia based striker Sulaiman ‘Malouda’ Matovu from the U-23 squad for the All Africa Games qualifier against Tanzania due at Nakivubo on April 16.
Coach George Ssimwogerere, who is in charge of the Uganda team, has instead zeroed on US-based Brian Umony, Moses Oloya (Vietnam) Emma Okwi (Tanzania) and goalkeeper Robert Odongkara (Ethiopia) from the players plying their soccer trade outside Uganda.
He is also considering calling Henry Kalungi, featuring for Richmond Kickers in the US.
Ssimwogerere argued that Matovu is currently off form but a section of FUFA technical officials, are not amused with his decision.
“I don’t consider him (Matovu) good at the moment. I watched him play against Congo-Brazzaville (in Olympic qualifier) and I wasn’t impressed. However, there is still a debate going on among ourselves,†Ssimwogerere divulged yesterday.
FUFA technical director Asuman Lubowa could not comment on the debate saying he will only talk at the press conference today.
But Matovu remains on coach Frank Anyau’s U-23 London Olympics qualifier squad that takes on Congo-Brazzaville in the away return leg on April 10.
Uganda, grouped in the All Africa Games qualifier Zone V together with Kenya, Tanzania and Eritrea, joins the competition in the first round.
The winner of the Uganda-Tanzania tie will face the victor in the other encounter between Eritrea and Kenya in a second round two-leg fixture in June.
Winners of the seven Africa zones will join hosts Mozambique to form the eight countries in the finals of the continental games in Maputo September 3-18.
All Africa Games qualifier
Zone 5, April 18
Uganda v Tanzania
Eritrea v Kenya
CONTROVERSY has erupted over the exclusion of Ethiopia based striker Sulaiman ‘Malouda’ Matovu from the U-23 squad for the All Africa Games qualifier against Tanzania due at Nakivubo on April 16.
Coach George Ssimwogerere, who is in charge of the Uganda team, has instead zeroed on US-based Brian Umony, Moses Oloya (Vietnam) Emma Okwi (Tanzania) and goalkeeper Robert Odongkara (Ethiopia) from the players plying their soccer trade outside Uganda.
He is also considering calling Henry Kalungi, featuring for Richmond Kickers in the US.
Ssimwogerere argued that Matovu is currently off form but a section of FUFA technical officials, are not amused with his decision.
“I don’t consider him (Matovu) good at the moment. I watched him play against Congo-Brazzaville (in Olympic qualifier) and I wasn’t impressed. However, there is still a debate going on among ourselves,†Ssimwogerere divulged yesterday.
FUFA technical director Asuman Lubowa could not comment on the debate saying he will only talk at the press conference today.
But Matovu remains on coach Frank Anyau’s U-23 London Olympics qualifier squad that takes on Congo-Brazzaville in the away return leg on April 10.
Uganda, grouped in the All Africa Games qualifier Zone V together with Kenya, Tanzania and Eritrea, joins the competition in the first round.
The winner of the Uganda-Tanzania tie will face the victor in the other encounter between Eritrea and Kenya in a second round two-leg fixture in June.
Winners of the seven Africa zones will join hosts Mozambique to form the eight countries in the finals of the continental games in Maputo September 3-18.