Captain Owen Mukisa has urged his teammates to embrace the moment as Team Uganda begins its campaign at the CAF African Schools Football Championship in Harare.
Leading St. Mary’s Boarding School, Kitende, Mukisa believes the tournament offers a rare chance to prove themselves against Africa’s best at school level.
“This is the biggest schools football competition in Africa,” he said. “We have to play at our best and make our school and Uganda proud.”
Uganda enters the tournament as CECAFA champions, carrying both national and regional expectations. Their experience from previous editions could also be key.
Coach Hassan Zungu is confident his side is ready.
“This competition helps us measure ourselves against the best,” he said. “We’ve been here before and want to use that experience to go all the way.”
Drawn in Group A alongside hosts Zimbabwe, DR Congo and Morocco, Uganda faces Zimbabwe in their opener on Monday, a match that could shape their campaign.
While prize money is on offer in both boys and girls of USD 300 000, with runners-up receiving USD 200 000, while third-place finishers each receive USD 150 000 though Mukisa’s focus is performance first.
