A team of eighteen hockey players has been flagged off to South Africa for the forthcoming Africa Olympics Qualifiers.
The fifth edition of this Qualifier is scheduled to kick off on 29th, October in Pretoria, and Uganda is among the eight teams that will take part.
The Hockey Cranes will be represented by the same team that took part in last year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana, with the only addition being Mathias Akanyihayo who is making his national team debut.
It will be Innocent Raskara‘s first assignment since taking over the reigns as head coach on interim basis early this month.
Thomas Opio, the current leading goalscorer in the league will lead the team up front alongside Brian Bayuule as the only recognized strikers, but Wananchi’s Emmanuel Baguma will captain the side.
Baguma will be assisted by his club teammate Bosco Ochan who is the team’s goalkeeper, and Stewart Kavuma from Kampala Stallions.
Uganda is pitted against Nigeria, Zimbabwe and hosts South Africa in Pool A.
They will open the campaign against Nigeria- a team that subjected them to a 10-3 loss at AFCON last year.
Raskara and his team will be hoping to stage a better show when they face the West Africans on the opening day.
The travelling squad
Players
Emmanuel Baguma (CPT), Bosco Ochan (GK) , Stewart Kavuma, Alfred Agaba, Ashraf Tumwesigye, Brian Bayuule, Brian Okodi, Colline Batusa, Jordan Mpiima, Martin Okello, Mathias Akanyihayo, Maxwell Mugisha, Peter Walusansa, Richard Kaijuka, Richard Ssemwogerere, Solomon Mutalya, Thomas Opio, Timothy Ntumba.
Officials
Byron Matovu (Team Manager), Innocent Raskara (Head Coach)
Courtesy Photos
