Catch them if you can. The Uganda U17 are on a double mission to defend the CECAFA Title and also play again at the AFCON Finals.
It was a perfect start to their mission as they had little mercy for neighbours Kenya in their opening match on Wednesday afternoon in Rubavu Rwanda of the CAF/CECAFA U17 Zonal Qualifiers for the 2021 Total AFCON U17 Finals- Morocco.
Uganda U17 Starting XI against Kenya U17 in Rubavu
Uganda won 5-0 with goals scored by hat-trick hero Oscar Mawa, Travis Mutyaba and Ronald Madoi. The win hands Uganda a place in the semifinals while Kenya’s slim chances for progress to the next stage will be determined by the outcome of the final group B fixture between Uganda and Ethiopia on Friday 18th December 2020. Both Kenya and Ethiopia are tied on one (1) pint apiece but the former (Kenya) has completed its outings.
Kenya U17 team that played against Uganda U17
Follow me or else i hit the back of the net. Mawa being chased by two Kenyan defenders Skipper James Gachago and Umar Rajab (5). Mawa showed pure class as he bagged a hat-trick in the game.
Uganda, coached by Hamuza Lutalo got out of the blocks with a quick bang by netting the game’s opener after just 7 minutes played. The pressing game for Uganda U-17 Cubs put the Kenyans under pressure as they resorted to damage limitation to allow the game end 1-0 for half time.
Hat-trick hero Oscar Mawa
Despite missing several clear cut chances in first half of the game, Mawa composed himself to perform duties for stirkers. The Cubs returned from the break with a lot of intent to improve the game’s goals’ tally as Mawa got his name on the score sheet again with a brace in a space of four minutes between the 50th and 54th minutes. He walked away with a match day CAF ball. The rout was completed with Mutyaba and Madoi adding their names on the score board with strikes in the 78th and 85th minutes.
Cubs defender Madoi reserved some time to involve himself in a build up before netting off a low tap-in in the dying minutes of the game.
Kenya tried their best to get at least a solitary goal but Uganda Cubs defence commanded by nonsense Ronald Madoi remained mean and tight.
Celebrations for Uganda U17 (Cubs) in Rubavu against Kenya
‘We had good preparations for the match against Kenya. We shall continue with the same plans and preparations of the fixture with Ethiopia. We shall not undermine our opponents. We shall apply the same spirit. We want to play that game with superiority and show them that we are number one in East Africa’
Uganda plays Ethiopia on Friday at 4pm (Ugandan time) in Rubavu at Umuganda stadium.
Striker Bugembe Issa tussles it out with Kenya’s defence
The Qualifiers are being used to get the top two teams that will make it to the 2021 Total U-17 AFCON Finals to be hosted by Morocco.
Group Winners and runners up will automatically qualify for semi finals. Uganda is the defending champion of the tournament. They beat Ethiopia 3-1 in 2018 finals in Tanzania.
Uganda’s Vice captain Mulema with Kenya’s Khamis Nyale
Uganda Cubs starting line up:
Abdu Magada (GK)
Vincent Mulema
Juma Ibrahim (C)
Ronald Madoi
Peter Gava
Ivan Irinimbabazi
Shugai Kaliisa (Elvis Mwanje 67′)
Travis Mutyaba
Oscar Mawa (Enock Luyima 72′)
Bugembe Issa
Hassan Mubiru (Tuna Basil 63′)
Substitutions
Henry Mwebe (GK)
Humphrey Oyirwoth (GK)
Magogo Shafiq
Samuel Mudiba Basil Tuma
Fahad Jumbe
Elvis Mwanje
Enock Luyima
Kenya Starting Line-up’:
Alvin Lwangu, (GK), Hamis Omari, Umar Rajab, Ryan Ogan, James Gachogo (C), Khamis Nyale, Silas Maloba, Kelvin Wangaya (Ali Hamis 48′), Baron Ochieng (Gil Harel 69′), Victor Otheino, Kenn Kyalo.
Substitutions
Abdikadir Harun, Ali Hamis, Gil Harel, Linus Kakai, Signum Maina, Magaliwa Charo, Ibrahim Wanzalo, Teddy Sirma
MAIN PHOTO: Oscar Mawa celebrating his first goal of the match against Kenya.
