Watenga, Alitho left out of Vipers' CECAFA Cup squad

Vipers Sports Club coach Miguel Da Costa has named a 20-man squad that will compete in the forthcoming CECAFA Kagame Club Championship that gets underway on Friday in Tanzania.

Vipers who were scheduled to travel to Tanzania at midday today, did not include some their key players in the squad.

These are Ismael Watenga, James Alitho, Halid Lwaliwa, Tom Masiko, Moses Waiswa and Moussa Mbayi.

Watenga, Alitho and Lwaliwa are out of contract but reports indicate that negotiations are ongoing to renew Watenga and Lwaliwa's contracts while Alitho could be on his way out.

Vipers will face Zanzibar's JKU in their opening game on Friday afternoon at Chamazi Stadium.

The 2017/18 Uganda Premier League champions last took part in the tournament in 2011, losing to Tanzania's Simba SC at the quarter finals.

Tanzania's Azam FC and Kator FC of South Sudan are the other teams in Group A.

In their second appearance at this tournament and with the CAF Champions League awaiting them next season, coach Miguel Da Costa hopes they can take key lessons from CECAFA.

Kenyan giants Gor Mahia are placed in Group B with Rayon Sports (Rwanda), Lydia Ludic (Burundi) and Ports (Djibouti)

Group C that many have labled the ‘group of death' has Tanzanian rivals Simba SC and Singida alongside Rwanda's APR and Dekedaha from Somali.

The top two teams in each group and best two third-placed teams will qualify for the quarterfinal.

SQUAD: Eric Kibowa, Bashir Sekagya, Yayo Lutimba, Aggrey Madoi, Fred Okot, Ibrahim Kiyemba, Ashraf Mandela, Bashir Asiku, Geoffrey Wasswa, Taddeo Lwanga, Brian Nkuubi, Frank Tumwesigye, Brian Kalumba, Rahmat Ssenfuka, Milton Karisa, Dan Sserunkuma, Steven Mukwala, Pius Wangi, Duncan Sseninde, David Owori