Byekwaso relishing Nile Basin Cup test

By Swalley Kenyi

SCVU head coach Morley Byekwaso has opted to use the CECAFA Nile Basin Cup Winners Cup to build confidence among his new players who were not active during the 2013/2014 season.

The tournament that will take place in Sudan from May 20th to June 5th has SCVU grouped together with the hosts El Merreikh (Sudan), Malaika (S. Sudan) and Police (Zanzibar) in Group A.

Byekwaso said on Tuesday that he will use the championship that regional soccer governing body CECAFA has initiated to keep clubs busy to build confidence among his new players that include Hamza Delo, Dan Isiagi, Siraje Muhindo and Peter Otai.

The quartet did not get enough playing time in the FUFA Super League and with absence of SCVU senior players Isaac Muleme, Dennis Iguma, Benjamin Ochan and Savio Kabugo from the tournament, Byekwaso has said that he will panel beat his team ensure the players are gauged in Sudan.

“I respect teams in our group but I hope to give our junior players the opportunity to train hard and build their confidence at the tournament. Our junior players have not had enough playing time in the league and this is their opportunity,” Byekwaso said.

Muleme, Iguma, Ochan and Kabugo are among players Uganda Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic has summoned to train for the 2015 Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Madagascar between May 18 and 31.

Other than just keeping clubs busy, the tournament will offer an unfamiliar competition in the region given that the Democratic Republic of Congo and Egypt associations have been invited.

Three-time winners of the Africa Cup Winners Cup, Arab Contractors SC will lead the Egyptian campaign, backed by two-time semi-finalists in the CAF Cup Winners Cup and CAF Confederation Cup, Al Masry.

The CECAFA-organised tournament with financial backing of Sudan Football Association (SFA) and the Sudan Government will take place in three cities in Sudan.

All the 16 teams had confirmed they will take part, according to CECAFA officials. CECAFA will fly the teams to Sudan accommodate them and offer local transportation and also award prize money to the top finishers.

CECAFA Nile Basin Cup Winners Cup Draw

Group A: El Merreikh (Sudan), Sports Club Victoria University (Uganda), Malaika (South Sudan), Police (Zanzibar)

Group B: El Merreikh Al Fasher (Sudan), Mbeya City (Tanzania), Elman (Somalia), AFC Leopards (Kenya)

Group C: Al Ahli Shandi (Sudan), Al Masri (Egypt), Defence (Ethiopia), Dkhill (Djibouti)

Group D: Hey Al Arab (Sudan), Arab Contractors (Egypt), Flambeau (Burundi], Etincelles (Rwanda)