Africa-Press – Uganda. Uganda has won the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup a record 15 times, seven more than Kenya the next best nation at the regional championship.
Just winning is therefore hardly expected to excite followers back home.
A little style will consequently do for Morley Byekwaso and his charges when they start their title defence against DR Congo at the Bahir Dar Stadium in Ethiopia this evening.
The team includes players capable of producing that free-flowing kind of football as evidenced three months ago when the Hippos reached the final of the Afcon Under-20 tournament.
Having impressed particularly in the 4-1 semifinal victory over Tunisia, up to 10 players were promoted for this tournament that only features Under-23 and three over age players.
The technical team was also promoted alongside the players and will similarly be looking to impress in the team now referred to as the Kobs. Head coach Byekwaso however preached caution describing Uganda’s group as the most difficult of the three.
“We are in a very strong group. DR Congo is a big footballing nation and often has good players and also Tanzania is strong. Our group is like the group of death so we need to work hard to progress farther in the competition.”
Preparations have been decent and included a trip to Saudi Arabia where they played out a goalless draw and lost 2-0 to the hosts.
Playmaker Isma Mugulusi aggravated a knee problem during the games and misses out alongside another Under-20 graduate Richard Basangwa.
There are a number of players that could replace the pair with Bright Anukani and Karim Watambala both having played a starring role at the 2019 edition in Kampala when the tournament was last held.
The other survivor is goalkeeper Charles Lukwago who should get the nod in goal despite an indifferent domestic club campaign.
Former Under-20 captain Gavin Kizito Mugweri is also back in the fold after illness forced him to miss the Saudi Arabia games although it is unlikely to chan ge Byekwaso’s thinking.
Enock Walusimbi (Captain), Abdul Azizi Kayondo, Musa Ramathan, Peter Magambo are expected to form the back four with Bobosi Byaruhanga ahead of them.
One of Samuel Ssenyonjo, Derrick Kakooza and Ivan Bogere will then be expected to start alongside Steven Mukwala upfront.
DR Congo is taking part of the tournament as a guest team.
The best top teams in each of the groups will automatically qualify for the semi finals, while the best runner up from any of the three groups also gets to the last four.
The team that is classified in 9th position after the group stage will however not play more games, the other teams classified 5th to 8th will also play in a mini contest to determine the rankings.
The semi finals will be played on July 28th, while the finals take centre stage on July 31st. All the matches will be played at the Bahir Dar Stadium.
