The Uganda National U-20 men’s football team interim head coach, Jackson Mayanja has set huge targets for his team, revealing strong goals of making the World Cup.
The former Uganda Cranes star made the remarks public knowledge moments after the Hippos’ qualification to the 2023 Egypt AFCON.
The Hippos beat Sudan 2-0 in the semi-finals of the CECAFA Zonal AFCON Qualifiers on Tuesday, but Mayanja asserts that was just the first step of the ultimate goal.
“We were not only playing for CECAFA,” he stated in the post-match press conference at the Kober Stadium.
“From the start, I told my boys we want to go to the World Cup, not the CECAFA so they knew from Kampala what the target was.”
Rogers Torach and Isma Mugulusi were on target to not only send the Hippos to AFCON finals in Egypt but also to the final of the Zonal Tournament.
However, Mayanja isn’t bothered about winning the Cup, but preparing a team that will excel in the AFCON and probably make it to the global stage.
“We are now in the AFCON and it doesn’t matter whether we lose the Cup or not. We now want to fight for the AFCON.”
“After the AFCON fight, we know we can go to the World Cup. This success is because of the target that we set, so we knew we had to qualify,” he added.
Uganda will take on South Sudan in the final tomorrow at the Kober Stadium. South Sudan dumped Ethiopia after a 4-2 penalty shootout win, following a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes.
HOW UGANDA LINED UP AGAINST SUDAN
STARTING XI:
Abdu Magada (GK), Justin Opiro, Ibrahim Juma, Ronald Madoi, Frank Katongole, Rogers Torach, Rogers Mugisha, Isma Mugulusi ©, Titus Ssematimba, Umar Lutalo, Issa Bugembe
SUBSTITUTIONS:
Shamuran Kamya, Muhammed Nsereko, Denis Senyondwa, Thomas Kakaire, Simon Mukisa, Allan Kiggundu, Marvin Nyanzi, Faisal Wabyoona, Samson Kasozi.
