17-23 January 2022
Africa Cup of Nations (Men & Women)
@Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium, Accra, Ghana.
Uganda national hockey team coaches are confident that their sides will put in a good shift at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations when the continental showpiece hits off on Monday, 17th January running up to Sunday, 23rd January at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium, Accra, Ghana.
The sides were flagged off on Friday this week by National Council of Sports at their offices in Lugogo, Kampala.
Uganda women’s side who are ranked 76th globally are seeded in women’s Pool A alongside the winners of the previous seven editions South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia and will play the first match of the tournament against Namibia on Monday morning.
Moses Nsereko, the Uganda women’s national team coach says that his side are all geared up for the tournament opener as well as other games in their group.
“The team is ready as we trained for three months and I believe we’re good to go,” Nsereko said ahead of hit off adding that; “we worked on building the team structures and I believe we’re very ready to compete.”
Nsereko considers Pool A as a group of death especially with South Africa in it but hopes that the opening two matches against Namibia and Zimbabwe will help his side prepare for the women from the rainbow nation and go past the group stage.
The women’s team will be making history as they are the first Ugandan contingent to compete in an intentional engagement and Nsereko believes that the Ghana do will help the ladies who are all locally based ‘market themselves’ as the tournament will be watched online by hockey faithful across the globe.
Uganda men’s side, ranked 91st globally are seeded in Pool B alongside hosts Ghana, Egypt and Nigeria and Uganda men’s national team coach Vincent Arnold Kasasa says that his side has all it takes to cause havoc at the group stage and go all the way up as the side returns to the continent.
“We want to set a record in the Africa Cup of Nations to be the first team to beat Ghana, Nigeria and Egypt,” Kasasa said adding that; “we are playing big teams at the group stage but I believe the pressure is on them, not us so we hope to utilize that as an advantage on us to put a lot of pressure on them and win the matches.”
With some male players already playing professional hockey, Kasasa hopes that the Nation’s meet will earn more players spots in semi professional and professional clubs especially in Italy.
Uganda men’s side play their opening game against Ghana on Monday after the opening ceremony and Kasasa believes that the outcome of that game can set the tone for the team going forward but believes that his side will come atop.
Uganda’s Squads:
Men.
Alfred Agaba, Ashraf Tumwesigye, Bosco Ochan, Brian Bayuule, Brian Okodi, Collines Batusa, Emmanuel Baguma, Jordan Mpiima, Martin Okello, Maxwell Mugisha, Moses Tushabe, Peter Walusansa, Richard Kaijuka, Richard Ssemwogerere, Solomon Mutalya, Stuart Kavuma, Thomas Opio and Tiimothy Ntumba.
Women.
Aisha Kagere, Consolate Muber, Doreen Asiimwe, Doreen Mbabazi, Jolly Alimo, Joy Sserunjogi, Paula Kibwika, Pauline Korukundo, Lamulah Nakajjumba, Lucky Akello, Margaret Nassiwa, Naume Makila, Norah Alum, Susan Ayomirowth, Sylvia Giramiya, Teopista Anyango, Thuwaibah Kiggundu and Winnie Alaro.
The Reserves
Men.
Charles Ekapolon, Brian Ofoyimungu, James Mugisha, Mathias Akanyihayo and Shafik Byamukama
Women.
Angella Nakintu, Irene Nyapendi, Pauline Achom, Shakirah Nambooze and Vero Atima.
Uganda’s Technical Bench for ACN
1. Team Manager (Men) – Byron Matovu
2. Team Manager (Women) – Bridget Baine
3. Head Coach (Men & Women) – Francesco Richichi
4. National Team Coach (Men) – Vincent Kasasa
5. National Team Coach (Women) – Moses Nsereko
6. Goalkeeping Coach – Antonio Spignolo
7. Asst. Goalkeeping Coach – Dulf Musoke
8. Team Doctor – Emma Ewochu
9. Physiotherapist – Massimiliano Paolotroni
10. Asst. Physiotherapist – Sadik Akii.
