Ugandans in South Sudan Form Juba Cranes Football Team

A group of youthful Ugandans living in South Sudan have formed a football team they named Juba Cranes with the hope of featuring in the new nation’s national League next year.
 
Frank Lugoba, the team manager told URN on Wednesday morning that they are having a good time playing football with their South Sudanese brothers. Lugoba says forming the team has helped Ugandans in terms of coming close to and mixing with the locals.
 
He explained that although they are all engaged in different businesses in Juba, they find time to play football and compete at the lower level with other teams. Sounding ambitious, Lugoba says they want to make it to the League although they still lack a sponsor and playing materials.
 
The team that is supported by the players themselves with the little earnings they get from business, recently won the South Sudan Independence Cup when they beat Kator FC and this has encouraged them to push further. Hassan Kibaya, one of the teams’ midfielders said too much discrimination in some of the local teams forced him to abandon El Merriekh Juba and join the Juba Cranes.
 
The team captain Shafique Ibanda said although they want to register the team for the league, they also lack many things like enough boots and jerseys together with a sponsor. He also called upon able Ugandans back home to assist them so that the Juba Cranes can work hard and keep the Ugandan flag flying high.  
 
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Among some of the star players for Juba Cranes team include Ali Ssebatta, Umar Kabuye, Nasser Ssekyewa and Isa Magunda. During a meeting, the Chief Executive Officer of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), Edgar Watson, said they would try to help the team. Watson donated to them one ball, buy added that he will do his best to help.