Uganda Kobs (U-23) head coach Morley Byekwaso has confirmed the final 23 man squad for the 2021 CECAFA U-23 challenge cup tournament in Ethiopia.
The tournament is slated to start on Saturday July 17 but Uganda will be in action on Sunday July 18 against guests DR Congo.
Unlike the previous editions, this year’s challenge cup will only be played by players under 23 years with a provision for each team to have at least three players above the 23 age mark.
Byekwaso has named goalkeeper Charles Lukwago and forward Steven Desse Mukwala as the over aged players. He has also named Express FC’s skipper Enock Walusimbi as the team captain, deputized by Lukwago and Gavin Kizito Mugweri.
Uganda goes into the tournament as the defending champions having won the competition in 2019 on home soil at the MTN Omondi stadium. The tournament was not played in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Byekwaso’s boys have had two friendly games in Saudi Arabia and both ended in defeat.
The team flies out to Ethiopia today (Wednesday, 14th July 2021) at 3pm aboard Ethiopian Airways.
The final 23 man squad to Ethiopia
Goal Keepers: Lukwago Charles (KCCA FC), Saidi Keni (SC Villa), Dennis Otim (Express FC)
Defenders: Enock Walusimbi (Express FC), Abdu Aziizi Kayondo (Vipers SC), George Kaddu (Wakiso Giants FC), Musa Ramathan (KCCA FC), Kenneth Ssemakula (BUL FC), Magambo Peter (KCCA FC), Gavin Kizito ( SC Villa)
Midfielders: Bobosi Byaruhanga (Vipers SC), Abdul Karim Watambala (Vipers SC), , Steven Sserwadda (KCCA FC), Bright Anukani (KCCA FC), Salim Abdallah (SC Villa).
Forwards: Mukwala Stephen Dese (URA FC), Ivan Bogere (Wakiso Giants FC), Saddam Masereka (SC Villa), Julius Poloto (KCCA FC), Najib Yiga (Vipers SC), Hakim Kiwanuka (Proline FC), Derrick Kakooza (Police FC), Samuel Ssenyonjo (KCCA FC).
Group A: Uganda, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Group B: Ethiopia, Burundi, Eritrea
Group C: Djibouti, South Sudan, Kenya
Uganda’s fixtures:
Sunday, 18th July 2021: Uganda Vs DR Congo (2 PM)
Sunday, 25th July 2021: Uganda Vs Tanzania (4 PM)