Uganda U-17 national team head coach Peter Onen has named 20 players for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers (CECAFA region) in Tanzania next week.
The team that has been in residential training for more than two weeks will fly out on Thursday to Dar el Salaam to battle for the zone’s solitary slot for the final tournament, also next April in Tanzania.
Uganda are seeking to redeem their fortunes after losing out to Somalia at the CECAFA U-17 Championship in Burundi few months ago.
Five new faces have been included for the zonal qualifiers including Davis Ssekajja, John Kokas Alowo, Elvis Ngonde, Najib Yoga and Mwaka Polycap, who was dropped from the travelling party to Burundi last time.
Onen says their target is first to qualify out of the group and then set their eyes on the ultimate.
“We have worked on the mental toughness of the players because the games are going to be tense and decisive and that has been our emphasis. The boys know football but tactical interpretation for all players must be key,” Onen said.
Ten countries will tussle out for the solitary CECAFA slot for the final tournament. The qualifiers will kick off on 11th August and climax on Sunday, 26th August 2018 at the National stadium in Dar el Salaam and Azam Complex in Chamanzi.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Daniel Semwogere (UPDF JT FC), George Oluka (Buddo SS), Delton Oyo (KJSSS FC JT)
Defenders: Kevin Ssekimbegga (Buddo SS), Joseph Kafumbe (Buddo SS), Samson Kasozi (Bright Stars FC JT, Gavin Kizito Mugweri (SC Villa), John Rogers (Onduparaka FC JT), Juma Ibrahim (KCCA SA), Ibrahim Ekolot (Bright Stars FC JT)
Midfielders: Davis Ssekajja (Bright Stars FC JT), Yasin Abdul Owane (Rock High School), Polycarp Mwaka (Football For Good Academy, Gulu), Thomas Kakaire (SC Vipers JT), John Kokas Alowo (URA FC JT), Elvis Ngonde (KJSSS FC JT)
Forwards: Iddi Abdul Wahid (Onduparaka FC JT), Ivan Asaba (SC Vipers JT), Najib Yoga (Kisozi Seed High School), Owen Mukisa (BUL FC JT)
Group A: Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, Sudan
Group B: Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Djibouti
Fixtures
Saturday, August 11, 2018
Group A: Rwanda vs Sudan (National Stadium)
Group A: Tanzania vs Burundi (National Stadium)
Sunday, August 12, 2018
Group B: Southern Sudan vs Djibouti (Chamazi Stadium)
Group B: Uganda vs Ethiopia (Chamazi Stadium)
Monday, August 13, 2018
Group A: Sudan vs Somalia (Chamazi Stadium)
Group A: Burundi vs Rwanda (Chamazi Stadium)
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Group B: Kenya vs Southern Sudan (National Stadium)
Group B: Djibouti vs Ethiopia (National Stadium)
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Group A: Somalia vs Rwanda (National Stadium)
Group A: Sudan vs Tanzania (National Stadium)
Friday, August 17, 2018
Group B: Southern Sudan vs Uganda (Chamazi Stadium)
Group B: Djibouti vs Kenya (Chamazi Stadium)
Saturday, August 18, 2018
Group A: Burundi vs Sudan (Chamazi Stadium)
Group A: Tanzania vs Somalia (Chamazi Stadium)
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Group B: Ethiopia vs Southern Sudan (National Stadium)
Group B: Kenya vs Uganda (National Stadium)
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Group A: Somalia vs Burundi (National Stadium)
Group A: Rwanda vs Tanzania (National Stadium)
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Group B: Uganda vs Djibouti (Chamazi Stadium)
Group B: Ethiopia vs Kenya (Chamazi Stadium)
Friday, August 24, 2018
Winner Group A Vs Runners-up Group B
Winner Group B Vs Runners-up Group A
Saturday, August 26, 2018
Third Place Play-off
Final