CECAFA U-20 Challenge Cup
September 21– October 5
The national U20 side (Hippos) is continuing with preparations for the forthcoming 2019 CECAFA U20 Challenge Cup.
The revamped tournament will be played from September 21 till October 5 at FUFA technical center, Njeru and Pece War Memorial Stadium, Gulu which will be the main venue –to host the opener and the final.
The Hippos beat StarTimes Uganda premier league side Busoga United 7-0 in an entertaining practice match played at the FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru on Sunday evening.
Charles Lwanga and Najib Yiga scored in the opening half, Sadam Masereka gabbed a hat trick together with Ivan Asaba and Said Mayanja adding the one each in the second stanza.
Uganda plays Eritrea in the second of the doubleheader at 4pm on the opening day, after the first game of the tournament which will see Sudan taking on Djibouti at 2pm.
Rwanda will not partake in the tournament has already eleven (11) countries confirmed including; hosts Uganda, Sudan, Eritrea, Kenya, Ethiopia, Zanziba, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan and Somalia and Djibouti who are already in the country as the first country to arrive.
Group A matches will be hosted in Gulu while group B and C are to play from Njeru. Two teams from group C and three teams from each of groups A and B qualify to the Quarter Finals.
Darius Mugoye, the Local organizing committee (LOC) noted that Gulu was chosen as the main host district of this regional competition due to the passion expressed by a mammoth of fans who turn up for FUFA Drum Matches.
“We call upon fans to come and drum support for our boys. We thank CECAFA for giving us the opportunity to host the tournament. Gulu people are very enthusiastic to host this competition and having been the Champions of the CECAFA U15 and U17, we look forward to wining this tournament as we build a strong future national team. Our dream is to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022 and I want to thank the FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo for the efforts put in the development of football in Uganda,” noted Mugoye.
Rogers Mulindwa, the Cecafa media officer and also FUFA Co-opted Executive member said that the tournament will do much in sports tourism to market Uganda especially Jinja and Gulu towns. Mulindwa, who is also the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) spokes person, also assured the participating countries of security whilst urged teams to visit different tourists sites in the country.
Group A matches will be hosted in Gulu while group B and C are to play from Njeru. Two teams from group C and three teams from each of groups A and B qualify to the Quarter Finals
Groups:
Group A: Uganda, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti
Group B: Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zanzibar
Group C: Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia
