Cranes’ future safe with U-20s
Apr 01, 2008
U-20 national soccer coach Jackson Mayanja is confident that the country has finally assembled a crop of youngsters capable of making an impact on the continent.
By Fred Kaweesi and Swalley Kenyi
International U-20 friendly
Sunday
Uganda v Sudan
April, 9
DR Congo v Uganda
U-20 national soccer coach Jackson Mayanja is confident that the country has finally assembled a crop of youngsters capable of making an impact on the continent.
After taking the team through training at Mandela stadium yesterday, Mayanja concluded that the senior team Cranes would benefit from the talent he is coaching. He said the team was good enough to fire Uganda to the U-20 Africa Youth Championship title.
The former international striker feels this Sunday’s international build-up against Sudan is the first step to a glorious future.
“There is a group of promising young players I intend to develop that will surprise many in the youth tournament,†Mayanja stated after training.
“We have young players here developing fast and maturing into great players.â€
He identified Express FC’s 19-year-old custodian Abbey Dhaira, midfielder Simon Sserunkuuma and attackers Brian Omony and Benson Ocitti as the team’s foundation stone.
“There is a good balance but that is not to say that we will rely on individuals. I prefer team work,†he added.
Uganda is preparing to take on DR Congo in Kinshasa next week in the Africa U-20 qualifiers.
Squad
Gooalkeepers: A Dhaira, G.Buule,F.Oringa Defenders: J.Isabirye, A. Kisalita, H.Kamya,G. Walusimbi, A. Kakuba, A.Mayanja, M.Mudde, C. Ntambi. Midfielders: V.Bikamata, N. Ssemakula, S.Sserunkuma, E. Kikonyogo, H. Ssenkumba, P.Lewin. Strikers : E.Bucha,B.Omwony ,B. Ociti, M.Oloya,P. Senfuka, H.Kavuma, F. Muhammed, A.Sida,M.Mutyaba,E. Luzige.
* The FUFA Competitions Committee has fixed three Kakungulu Cup matches involving Express, SC Villa, URA and Simba for morning kick offs at Nakivubo and Namboole. The venues will host Super League games in the afternoon on the same days.
URA host first division Kamwokya United at Namboole in a first round encounter on the morning of April 9 before Villa take on Victors in the league in the afternoon.
The Simba versus Express first round Kakungulu Cup which is due at Nakivubo on April 11 is also scheduled for a 10.am kick-off.
“We are fighting to clear the fixtures. So we have to share the resources available. We’ve done this with the clubs’ consent,†FUFA competitions committee secretary Moses Magogo said yesterday.
FUFA is struggling to ensure the league and Kakungulu Cup do not interrupt Cranes preparations for the World Cup qualifiers starting May 31.
Ending the season early will save the clubs the cost of maintaining a team for over a month without playing as Cranes play the World Cup qualifiers.
SC Villa will play their Kakungulu Cup quarter-final match against the winner between URA and Kamwokya in the morning of April 20 at Namboole as Police host Victors in the league in the afternoon.
Another change sees Simba now play Maji at Luzira ground on Friday and not Saturday.
International U-20 friendly
Sunday
Uganda v Sudan
April, 9
DR Congo v Uganda
U-20 national soccer coach Jackson Mayanja is confident that the country has finally assembled a crop of youngsters capable of making an impact on the continent.
After taking the team through training at Mandela stadium yesterday, Mayanja concluded that the senior team Cranes would benefit from the talent he is coaching. He said the team was good enough to fire Uganda to the U-20 Africa Youth Championship title.
The former international striker feels this Sunday’s international build-up against Sudan is the first step to a glorious future.
“There is a group of promising young players I intend to develop that will surprise many in the youth tournament,†Mayanja stated after training.
“We have young players here developing fast and maturing into great players.â€
He identified Express FC’s 19-year-old custodian Abbey Dhaira, midfielder Simon Sserunkuuma and attackers Brian Omony and Benson Ocitti as the team’s foundation stone.
“There is a good balance but that is not to say that we will rely on individuals. I prefer team work,†he added.
Uganda is preparing to take on DR Congo in Kinshasa next week in the Africa U-20 qualifiers.
Squad
Gooalkeepers: A Dhaira, G.Buule,F.Oringa Defenders: J.Isabirye, A. Kisalita, H.Kamya,G. Walusimbi, A. Kakuba, A.Mayanja, M.Mudde, C. Ntambi. Midfielders: V.Bikamata, N. Ssemakula, S.Sserunkuma, E. Kikonyogo, H. Ssenkumba, P.Lewin. Strikers : E.Bucha,B.Omwony ,B. Ociti, M.Oloya,P. Senfuka, H.Kavuma, F. Muhammed, A.Sida,M.Mutyaba,E. Luzige.
* The FUFA Competitions Committee has fixed three Kakungulu Cup matches involving Express, SC Villa, URA and Simba for morning kick offs at Nakivubo and Namboole. The venues will host Super League games in the afternoon on the same days.
URA host first division Kamwokya United at Namboole in a first round encounter on the morning of April 9 before Villa take on Victors in the league in the afternoon.
The Simba versus Express first round Kakungulu Cup which is due at Nakivubo on April 11 is also scheduled for a 10.am kick-off.
“We are fighting to clear the fixtures. So we have to share the resources available. We’ve done this with the clubs’ consent,†FUFA competitions committee secretary Moses Magogo said yesterday.
FUFA is struggling to ensure the league and Kakungulu Cup do not interrupt Cranes preparations for the World Cup qualifiers starting May 31.
Ending the season early will save the clubs the cost of maintaining a team for over a month without playing as Cranes play the World Cup qualifiers.
SC Villa will play their Kakungulu Cup quarter-final match against the winner between URA and Kamwokya in the morning of April 20 at Namboole as Police host Victors in the league in the afternoon.
Another change sees Simba now play Maji at Luzira ground on Friday and not Saturday.