AFCON U20: Bobosi, Bogere start as Byekwaso names XI to face Mozambique

Uganda U20 men’s national team coach Morley Byekwaso has named his squad to face Mozambique at the 2021 AFCON U20 finals.

The two sides will be facing off at 4pm in what will be their opening group A game at the Olympic Stadium.

Two Uganda Cranes players – Aziz Kayondo and Bobosi Byaruhanga – who played at 2020 CHAN in Cameroon, have been included in the starting XI.

There is no change to the team that started against Tanzania in the first game at the pre-AFCON mini tournament last week.

Goalkeeper Jack Komakech starts in the posts while Villa defend and team captain Gavin Kizito Mugweri leads the defence line alongside Aziz, Musa Ramathan and Kenneth Ssemakula.

Striker Ivan Bogere is expected to shoulder the scoring burden.

The tournament kicked off on Sunday with the other group A opponents Cameroon edging hosts Mauritania 1-0 thanks to a Junior Sunday late strike at the Olympic Stadium.

This, is the first edition to have expanded to 12 teams from eight and Uganda, just like Mozambique, is among the seven debutants.

The semi finalists would have normally qualified to the 2021 FIFA U20 World Cup in Indonesia as CAF representatives but the tourney was canceled due to Covid19 by FIFA.

To reach this stage, the Hippos beat Kenya to storm the final in a CECAFA U20 tournament played in Arusha, Tanzania last year which they consequently won after overcoming Tanzania Ngorongoro Heroes.

Mozambique on the other hand, topped group A of the COSAFA U20 that had hosts South Africa, Zimbabwe and Lesotho and later beat Zambia 5-4 in shootouts before after a goalless draw in normal time.

Mozambique edged Namibia 1-0 in the final.

In short, the game today pits together the champions of CECAFA U20 and COSAFA U20.

To prepare for the finals in Mauritania, after playing buildup games with UPL clubs KCCA and URA FC, the Hippos played a double header with Tanzania which was split – Uganda won 1-0 and lost 5-3 in the second encounter.

Uganda Hippos Starting XI against Mozambique

Jack Komakech (GK), Gavin Kizito (C), Aziz Kayondo, Musa Ramathan, Kenneth Ssemakula, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Isma Mugulusi, Najib Yiga, Richard Basangwa, Derrick Kakooza, Ivan Bogere.

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