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Before the tourney gets underway in a week, the Hippos will be engaged in a couple of friendlies in Egypt to fully ready themselves.
After over a month in residential camp preparing for the 2023 U20 Africa Cup of Nations, the Uganda Hippos are set for the finals in Egypt after head coach Jackson Mayanja named the final travelling squad.
Mayanja initially summoned 50 players but has gradually been reducing them and he has finally chosen the best 25 players who will represent Uganda at the continent's greatest football showpiece at the U20 level.
KCCA FC midfielder Faisal Wabyoona is the most notable that failed to make the cut. Wabyoona was part of the Hippos team that reached the final in Mauritania in 2021.
Isma Mugulusi, Ibrahim Juma, Travis Mutyaba, Titus Ssematimba, and Ivan Irinimbabazi will be key players if Uganda is to perform well at the tournament.
Before the tourney gets underway in a week, the Hippos will be engaged in a couple of friendlies in Egypt to fully ready themselves.
At the competition that kicks off on February 19th to March 11th, Uganda is pooled in Group B alongside Congo, South Sudan, and Central African Republic (CAR), the CECAFA giants will start their campaign against the latter on February 20th.
Mayanja has continuously emphasised that his ultimate target is taking Uganda to the World Cup in Indonesia this May but to achieve that, they will have to reach the semifinals of the competition.
The Hippos reached the final at rid of maiden appearance in the competition in 2021 before losing 2-0 to Ghana and should have played at the World Cup, but it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Uganda Hippos' 25-man travelling squad
Goalkeepers: Abdu Magada (Gaddafi FC), Shamulan Kamya (Soltilo Bright Stars FC), Delton Oyo (SC Villa)
Defenders: Haruna Lukwago (KCCA FC), Justine Opiro (URA FC), Samson Kasozi (UPDF FC), Ronald Madoi (Wakiso Giants FC), Apollo Kakogwe (Wakiso Giants FC), Rogers Torach (Vipers SC), Umar Lutalo (SC Villa), Ibrahim Juma (Leganes CD, Spain)
Midfielders: Saidi Mayanja (KCCA FC), Frank Katongole (St. Mary’s, Kitende), Titus Ssematimba (Wakiso Giants FC), Travis Mutyaba (SC Villa), Hakim Mutebi (St. Mary’s Kitende), Isma Mugulusi (Makedonikos FC, Greece), Ivan Irinimbabazi (Soltilo Bright Stars FC)
Forwards: Rogers Mugisha (UPDF FC), Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa), Issa Bugembe (Soltilo Bright Stars FC), Shafiq Magogo (UPDF FC), John Paul Ddembe (KCCA FC U20), Alpha Ssali (Unattached), Emmanuel Mukisa (Kataka FC)
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