Injured striker George Abege has been dropped from the Hippos team flying out to Ghana tomorrow morning ahead of the return leg of the 2013 Africa Youth Championship qualifier.
The striker, who was recently signed by Victoria University Football Club from Maroons FC, failed to pass a fitness test yesterday and will remain behind as his teammates struggle to get a good result against the 2009 Youth World Cup and African champions in the State of Tamale, Ghana where the game will be played.
Head coach Paul Nkatta told Uganda Radio Network during an interview in Kavumba Recreational centre, Mpigi this morning that they have decided to take only fully fit players because it will be a tough battle in Ghana.
Julius Ogwang who netted a double in the first leg 3-1 victory and Joseph Mpande who also scored is part of the team that will fly a 5am aboard a Kenya Airways flight. The players looked very composed and in high spirits when URN met them this morning at Kavumba, with Ogwang insisting that he will also score in Ghana.
The Hippos will have to make sure they score an early goal in Tamale to give the hosts no chance of being comfortable. “These many build-up games we have played have helped us a lot adapt to several different conditions,” explained Nkatta whose side won four games out of the five played and only lost to Maroons FC.
//Cue in: We are expecting a good …..
Cue out; Focused on that game,”//
However, news from Ghana indicates that their coach Maxwell Konadu who is also assistant coach of the senior side has vowed that his team must go through. Konadu was quoted saying that his team must take advantage of playing at home to beat the Ugandans who are shaky in defense. Ghana need a 2-0 victory to qualify for the next round where the winners will face Morocco after Gambia withdrew.
The two goalkeepers making the trip are; Salim Omar and Emma Kalyowa, while the other players include; Nicho wadada, Joseph Ochaya, Yusuf Mukisa, Julius Ogwang, Khalid Aucho, William Wadri, Erias Sekisambu, Joseph Omunuk, Gift Ali, Misi Katende, Fred Nkatta, denis Bigala, Sam Senkomi, Joseph Mpande and Simon Namwanja. Vietnam based midfielder Geoffrey Kiziro who arrived yesterday is also part of the team.
