Uganda’s U-20 national football team, the Hippos will start preparations on July 16 for their crucial game against former Junior World Champions Ghana. The two teams are expected to clash on July 27 in Kampala in the first leg of the 2013 African Youth Championship qualifier before the return leg in Accra in August.
The Hippos eliminated Mozambique on a 5-1 goal aggregate a month ago. Asuman Lubowa, the head of the technical Committee at the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) told URN this afternoon that they have already mapped out a plan for the team to train for two weeks before the match.
He says facing Ghana is a tough game, adding that they are aware the team needs to train for at list two weeks. While, the Hippos are yet to start training, their opponents Black Satellites of Ghana are reportedly already preparing and lost 3-0 last week to their U-17 team.
The Hippos team handled by Paul Nkata and Abudallah Mubiru will also try to make sure they have a number of build-up matches since the players are on recess after the end of the Bell lager Super League. The likes of George Abege who scored the important goal in the Hippos 1-1 draw away to Mozambique are expected to make the team’s squad.
The winner of the two-legged tie will face either Morocco or Gambia in the final round qualifier in September and October. The other teams in the region that are still in contention for places in the qualifiers are; Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia and Tanzania.
Players expected on Hippos team: Kalyowa Emmanuel, Ochaya Joseph, Owori Isaac, Nkata Fred, Mukisa Yusuf, Wadri William, Aucho Khalid, Maloba Denis, Kyeyune Saidi, Wakiro Nico Wadada, Ssenkoomi Samuel and Kasadha Lawrence. Others are Ogwang Julius, Opiyo George Abege, Yayo Kato Lutimba, Tuliraba Alex, Ssekisambu Erisa and Magoola Salim Omar.
