CECAFA U-23 Championship
2021: (July 18-31) – Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Group A: Uganda, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Group B: Ethiopia, Burundi, Eritrea
Group C: Djibouti, South Sudan, Kenya
Uganda’s fixtures
Sunday, 18th July 2021: Uganda Vs DR Congo (2 PM)
Sunday, 25th July 2021: Uganda Vs Tanzania (4 PM)
Hoping for playing time at the CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup, Uganda Kobs (U-23 men’s national football team) goalie Denis Otim is aiming to do his best once named in the starting XI against any side in the tournament.
The CECAFA U-23 Championship will run from July 18-31 in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia with Uganda who are pooled in Group A entertaining DR Congo in a lunch time opener on Sunday, 18th July.
For Otim, the Express FC shot stopper first of all delights in the national team call up but also aims to do his best to help the team defend the title once called upon to be between the sticks.
“I am so happy to make the CECAFA team. I played at the U17 tournament in 2019 so I surely have an idea of what is coming ahead,” Otim told Express FC website.
“As a goalkeeper my target is to keep many clean sheets when given opportunity but we shall need to work as a team to win the tournament. Uganda has a good record in CECAFA and we wall intend to keep in that way,” Otim added.
Otim managed five clean sheets last season, four in the domestic cup and one in the league, that his side won.
Team Uganda is already in Ethiopia and will have possibly acclimatized to the conditions there by Sunday. The team left for the tournament on Wednesday.
Last year’s CECAFA edition wasn’t held due to Covid-19 disruptions.
Uganda won the 2019 event but it was an open tournament back then with no age restrictions but this year’s show piece will be payed by players who are below 23 years and a given number of overaged players.
The kick-off date for this year’s do was postponed by a fortnight due to Covid-19 disruptions and other league activities of some participants.
Uganda Kobs Squad.
Goal Keepers: Lukwago Charles (KCCA FC), Saidi Keni (SC Villa), Dennis Otim (Express FC)
Defenders: Enock Walusimbi (Express FC), Abdu Aziizi Kayondo (Vipers SC), George Kaddu (Wakiso Giants FC), Musa Ramathan (KCCA FC), Kenneth Ssemakula (BUL FC), Magambo Peter (KCCA FC), Gavin Kizito ( SC Villa)
Midfielders: Bobosi Byaruhanga (Vipers SC), Abdul Karim Watambala (Vipers SC), , Steven Sserwadda (KCCA FC), Bright Anukani (KCCA FC), Salim Abdallah (SC Villa).
Forwards: Mukwala Stephen Dese (URA FC), Ivan Bogere (Wakiso Giants FC), Saddam Masereka (SC Villa), Julius Poloto (KCCA FC), Najib Yiga (Vipers SC), Hakim Kiwanuka (Proline FC), Derrick Kakooza (Police FC), Samuel Ssenyonjo (KCCA FC)
Officials.
Leader of Delegation: Rogers Byamukama
Head Coach: Morley Byekwaso
Assistant Coach: Simeon Massa
Goalkeeping coach: Steven Billy Kiggundu
Team Manager: Bashir mutyaba
Team Doctor: Emmanuel Nakabago
Kitsman: Samuel Mulondo
Media Officer: Lawrence Bwanika
FUFA Delegate: Isa Musiiwa
FUFA Staff: Edward Kalungi
