U17 CECAFA/AFCON ZONAL QUALIFIERS: We Shall Parade our Best Players Against Ethiopia – Hamuza Lutalo
Uganda Cubs head coach Hamuza Lutalo vows to parade his best players against Ethiopia tomorrow despite his side’s qualification to the same final.
After humiliating neighbors Kenya in their opening fixture, the Uganda Cubs (U17) will take on Ethiopia in their last group A fixture tomorrow, 18th December 2020 in Rubavu, Rwanda.
The Cubs got off the mark by humiliating Kenya who drew Ethiopia 2-2 in the opener with a 5-0 win.
Uganda Cubs head coach Hamuza Lutalo is optimistic his boys will register a win against Ethiopia despite hard challenges he expects.
“We have trained well today though with some injuries. Our goal Keeper got an injure and we shall consider the doctor’s report whether to deploy him tomorrow or not. We are playing a strong side which has mathematical chances to qualify for semis but we hope to win them. We have met them before in different tournaments and we came out as victors. They like to play short passes but we shall have a solution and we need to lead the group.” Lutalo.
Forward Oscar Mawa scored a hat-trick, Travis Mutyaba and Ronald Madoi one each as Uganda Cubs ran riot against neighbors Kenya in the opening fixture in the ongoing U17 CECAFA/AFCON qualifiers in Rwanda.
The win sent Uganda to the semis before they play Ethiopia tomorrow 18th December 2020 in their last group A game.
Paper talks across the region tip Uganda to win this tournament. However, Lutalo is aware of the dangers of complacency and takes the fixture serious.
“I know what our second game means to us, we shall not take anything for granted.
Yes, we already qualified for semis but we shall treat every game in a special way possible. We have to give it utmost attention and the best way is to parade our best players on the battle front.” Lutalo added.
Kenya who drew Ethiopia 2-2 and will have to wait for the tomorrow’s result between Uganda and Ethiopia to know their fate on the competition.
The two finalists at the ongoing tourney will automatically qualify to the AFCON U17 Championship in March in Morocco.