Magera to use tour of Turkey to assess U17 team

The Uganda U17 national team assistant coach, Jackson Magera, believes that commitment from the team will give him a clearer picture as his side prepares the Turkish invitational tournament to be played in Antalya from March 4-10.

"My players are in good shape and they are responding well in training. The good thing is that we do not have any injuries. The period we are spending in camp is going to give us a good assessment of the team," stated Magera whose side is camped at the FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru

The Turkish invitational tournament will be another preparatory test for the team to fine-tune their plans for the Africa U17 Cup of Nations.

All the eight teams that qualified for the continental tourney and a number of European teams will take part in the competition.

Uganda is placed in Group A alongside hosts Tanzania, Nigeria and Angola. The 13th edition of the Nations Cup will have Guinea, Cameroon, Morocco and Senegal contest group B.

The finals that will run from April 14-28 will be played at the National Stadium and Chamazi Stadium, both in Dar es Salaam.

The top four teams of the tournament will qualify for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Peru as Africa's representatives.

Uganda is the only country among the eight that is making their debut in the championship. They made it to the finals of the Nations Cup after defeating Ethiopia 3-1 in the final to emerge champions of CECAFA region.