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Isima Magala Mulala believes belief and teamwork will be key if Uganda’s U20 side, the Hippos, are to qualify for the 2027 Africa U20 Cup of Nations.
Speaking in camp at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru, Magala urged his teammates to carry the winning mentality that has helped Uganda compete strongly at regional level.
“As a player, I knew that if you believe, you can achieve. We had that strong mentality in the team, the teamwork, the spirit, the leadership. That’s why we went as far as we could.”
Magala hopes that experience will help the Hippos when they compete in the 2026 AFCON U20 CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers in Tanzania from September 16 to 30.
“I hope that experience will help me and the team together. Bring that same mentality, fight for the team, fight for Uganda, so that we can achieve our dream of qualifying for AFCON.”
The El Cambio forward also praised head coach Laryea Kingston’s approach, saying the team is working on both individual improvement and collective play.
“We are learning how to play different styles, how to decide quickly and how to play clean passes very fast. It is about improving individually, but also working as a team.”
Kingston named a 56 player provisional squad featuring players from the Uganda Premier League, schools, academies, universities and clubs abroad.
The list includes Magala, NEC FC’s Gilbert Mazige and Hakim Wandera, BUL FC duo Adrian Isabirye and Richard Okello, and Vipers SC players Denis Mugerwa, Munogera Amour, Abubakali Walusimbi, Marvin Kabiito and Owen Mukisa.
KCCA FC has Lazaro Bwambale, Hakim Kawuki and Brain Jjara, while SC Villa contributed Tonny Ssendi Kiyaga, Raymond Baraza Mangoli, Gilbert Ogernwrot and John Assimwe.
Several players based abroad are also in contention, including Oliver Arthur Scott Fisher of Patrick Thistle, Steven Oyirwoth of UNC Men’s Soccer, Moses Opira of Fulham Academy, Hamza Sengooba of AGF, Hugo Bull of Crystal Palace and Jovan Kasuja of Brentford.
For Magala, the growing bond in camp could prove just as important as what happens in training.
“The bonding is very strong. Everyone is very close to each other, very friendly and very helpful. The camp is very good because the teamwork is there.”
He wants that unity to translate onto the pitch, with players ready to support each other when mistakes happen.
“Even if one makes a mistake, you have to fight for him, cover that mistake, so that the team can go as far as possible.”
The Hippos are now preparing to cut the 56-man provisional squad down to the final team that will represent Uganda in Tanzania.
With qualification for the 2027 AFCON U20 finals on the line, Magala believes Uganda already has the foundation needed.
