U-20 Africa Qualifiers:
1st Leg (Saturday, 31st March 2018)
Uganda Hippos Vs South Sudan – Lugogo
2nd Leg (20th – 22nd April 2018)
South Sudan Vs Uganda Hippos – Juba
Hippos coach Matia Lule has confirmed Uganda Premier League youngster, Julius Poloto, as the new U20 national football team captain ahead of the Africa Championships qualifier against South Sudan this weekend.
Poloto replaces his KCCA teammate Muhammad Shaban, who has since graduated to the U23 team, the Kobs.
“He (Poloto) has the necessary leadership skills,” Lule told upl.co.ug, “And he knows well the team philosophy right as he has come through the U-17 set-up.” Proline’s Mustafa Mujjuzi will deputise Poloto.
Poloto will indeed not be unfazed by the challenge as he was Shaban’s vice captain for the Hippos at the 2017 Cosafa U-20 Championship in Zambia, where Uganda appeared as guests.
The youngster, in fact, captained the team in the final group game as Shaban served a suspension.
The team continued training at Lugogo on Monday morning in preparation for South Sudan this Saturday. The return leg is due April 20-22.
Hippos squad
Goalkeepers: Tonny Kyamera (Buddo S.S and Express), Saidi Keni (Proline)
Defenders: Salim Kyobe (Spartan 05), Mustafa Kizza (KCCA), Mustafa Mujuzi (Proline), Geofrey Wasswa (Vipers), Bashir Asiku (Vipers), Fred Okot (URA), Hebert Ochayo (Kibuli S.S), Paul Willa (Police)
Midfielders: Abubaker Kasule (Express), Allan Okello (KCCA), Frank ”Zaga” Tumwesigye (Vipers), Julius Poloto (KCCA), Ezra Bida (Onduparaka), Solomon Ovoyo (West Nile Province), Ivan Eyamu (Kataka), Faisal Sekyanzi (St Mary’s Nabweru), Joshua Okiror Ocen (Proline)
Strikers: Sadam Masereka (Buddo S.S) Steven Desi Mukwala (Vipers), Hamisi Tibita (BUL), Ibrahim Thembo (Kansai Plascon), Denis Otim (Mbarara City), Joel Jangeyambe (West Nile Province), Joshua Wandera (Eastern), Sadat Anaku (KCCA Junior Team)