The triumphant Uganda U-17 national football team (Cubs) returned home safely from Rwanda on Wednesday, December 23, 2020.
The Cubs successfully defended the CECAFA U-17 title, a lee-way to qualification for the 2021 Total AFCON U-17 finals due in Morocco, come July.
The Uganda Cubs
This team was received at Entebbe International Airport after yet another successful tournament before they were treated to a luncheon at Jevine Hotel in Rubaga, Kampala.
Leader of Delegation Issa Magoola Kakaire noted that the team exihibited high levels of discipline.
‘It was wonderful to work with this team. They worked under the guidance of every official on the team. Thank you so much for keeping top levels of discipline’ said Magoola.
Leader of Delegation Issa Magoola, skipper Ibrahim Juma, Head coach Hamuza Lutalo hand over the CECAFA U17 title to FUFA Vice Presidents Mugisha, Mugoye and CEO Edgar Watson with his Deputy Decolas Kiiza
Addressing the players and officials, the 2nd FUFA Vice President Darius Mugoye who represented the FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo said;
‘I thank you all for the performance showed at the 2020 CECAFA U-17 tournament in Rwanda. There are deliberate efforts for FUFA to prepare a strong team. We spent more than two months in camp and this comes at a huge cost. We shall embark on early preparations for the team since the prime target is to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. FUFA will reward you’ Mugoye added.
The first Vice FUFA President Justus Mugisha who was in Rwanda as Chairman Organising Committee applauded the efforts of the gallant servants of the beautiful game.
Mugisha strongly reteraited the Federation’s efforts of preparing a strong team for the 2021 continental finals in Morocco.
FUFA 1st Vice President Justus Mugisha
‘FUFA and the rest of the country are very happy by the exceptional performance of this team and other teams. We are the champions of CECAFA U-15, CECAFA U-17 (Boys and Girls), U-20 (Boys) and the Senior Challenge Cup. We shall make the best preparations for the team to compete favorably at the tournament we know that we shall make it to the FIFA World Cup. However you must remain fit’ Mugisha cautioned the players.
The head coach of the team Hamuza Lutalo thanked the efforts of the Federation, players and everyone involved to prepare a solid and strong team.
In a special way, he lauded the players and fellow staff whose performance and attitude were top notch right from the home camps through to the tournament proper.
‘I want to first of all thank the Federation for the preparations that they gave us from the time we were home (at Kaboja- IUIU Girls Campus and FUFA Technical Centre-Njeru). I also thank the players, my fellow technical staff and everyone else. We are one solid family and ready to achieve bigger things ahead’ Lutalo disclosed.
Uganda beat Tanzania 3-1 in the final to book a second consecutive AFCON U-17 berth.
Uganda had a clean sweep of individual accolades with the Most Valuable Player (MVP) accolade going to Travis Mutyaba, Top scorer was Oscar Mawa (6 goals) and the best goalkeeper, Henry Mwebe.
L-R Travis Mutyaba (MVP), Skipper Ibrahim Juma, Henry Mwebe and Oscar Mawa
The coaching and medical departments for team Uganda were also exceptional as cited by the Chairman of the local organizing committee, Mugisha.
The 2021 Total AFCON U-17 tournament will be played in Morocco.
