Just hours after the Uganda U17 National team, the Cubs booked a spot at the 2019 African Cup of Nations tournament in Tanzania; FUFA President Moses Magogo has come out to suggest that they will be out to win it next year.
Uganda defeated Ethiopia 3-1 in the Regional qualifiers’ final played at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday to qualify for the tournament proper along with the hosts.
Speaking upon arrival of the team, Magogo thanked Allah (God) for enabling the Cubs make history.
“Praise be to Allah who allows everything to happen, said Magogo.
“Once again it is historical in our careers to be able to qualify an underage team for the first time in this county’s football history.
“In the modern game, it is so difficult for the senior Cranes players to join the top leagues in Europe but when you have the U17 qualifying for AFCON, it gives the young players an opportunity at exposure. Continued the man who also oversaw the Crane’s successful AFCON qualification in 2016.
“The boys know that qualifying is not enough but we want to go and win the tournament proper and we just don’t want to participate.
“As a federation and a country, we are going to work hard so as to provide the team with the best preparation in terms of Camps and Test matches.
“We believe that this group of players who have exhibited a great level of discipline, competition and desire are worthy encouraging because am confident they can help us qualify for the World cup in Qatar (2022).
“I am also excited that the senior Cranes players like Denis Onyango, Emmanuel Okwi, Murushid Jjuuko and Hassan Wasswa are sending congratulatory messages to the boys saying that they (Cubs) have given them (Cranes) a challenge so as to overcome Tanzania in their next qualification game and also qualify for their AFCON tournament in Cameroon next year.
“We have the U17, U20 and then the senior team as part of the strategy that was started in 2015 and now starting to bare fruits, also noted Magogo.
“As everyone is aware, we started an U17 league that requires every club in the top flight to have an underage team participating in it and as a federation, we make sure that the players undergo MRI test and also cater for the costs inured during the league. It is something that is not cheap to manage but we will continue doing it because success does not come at a cheap.
“I also want to thank all the coaches and officials that have been with the team, they have done a very good job with a team that am sure will continue making us proud.
The Cubs arrived in the country on Monday morning.
The Cubs team that won the Regional Qualifiers in Tanzania:
Oyo Delton (GK), Ssekimbegga Kevin, Kasozi Samson, Kizito Mugweri Gavin (C), John Rogers, Ekellot Ibrahim, Ssekajja Davis, Kakaire Thomas, Iddi Abdul Wahid, Yiga Najib, Juma Ibrahim, Semwogerere Daniel (GK), Alou John Kokas, Owane Yasin Abdul, Mwaka Polycap, Mukisa Owen, Asaba Ivan.
Head Coach: Peter Onen
