The newly crowned CECAFA U15 challenge Cup champions returned home on Monday evening and were received at Entebe International Airport by FUFA Deputy CEO/Football Decolas Kiiza amidst cheers from the adoring fans.
From the airport, the team was led to Jevine Hotel in Rubaga where it was hosted to a welcome dinner to celebrate their triumph. Uganda won the CECAFA U15 challenge championship hosted in Asmara, Eritrea after seeing off beating Kenya 4-0 in the final.
The Jackson Magera side also left the tournament unbeaten –wining all their six games with 26 goals scored and conceding none.
At the dinner, the Leader of the Delegation Agnes Mugena praised the team spirit, discipline and effort that helped them to glory.
Historical team Captain Vincent Mulema handed over the trophy to the FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo who was in company of his Second Vice President Darius Mugoye and FUFA CEO Edgar Watson.
The dinner was also attended by some of the players’ parents. “I would like to congratulate you on this achievement. We always got daily reports and your discipline is very commendable. Early this year, we narrowly missed out on qualifying for the U17 FIFA World Cup and so preparations for the next U17 AFCON had to start early. You are the group that is going to play in these qualifiers. Our vision is to be the number one footballing nation in Africa on and off the field and this success aligns with that,” noted Magogo, who reiterated that FUFA will continue with the development of this group.
“I met you before you left for Eritrea and I would like you to keep in school and study hard. We also wish to see yo get clubs and start playing in the rebranded U17 FUFA Juniors League as this will help you develop as players. Development of players at your stage is on a done on a daily basis,” he added. The players were each rewarded with a ball and new pair of boots each.
FUFA guidelines do not allow monetary incentives to players of this age. A pair of goal nets was handed to each player for their schools as a contribution to the efforts towards these players and a FUFA branded cup to their parents as a souvenir for allowing them to represent the country.
Uganda’s Abas Kyeyune finished as the top scorer of the tournament with 9 goals and Travis Mutyaba had 6 six.
Kyeyune, who featured for KJT, is also the Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) Kampala region 2019 Most valuable player (MVP) and is expected to be part of the squad for the finals that commence this Wednesday till Saturday at MUBS, Nakawa.
