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Mathias Lule alias Matia Lule has once again been chosen by Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) to lead Uganda Men’s U20 National team, Uganda Hippos (U20) ahead of the AFCON U20 Zonal Qualifiers to be held in Tanzania next month (October).
Lule who last led the Uganda Hippos to the AFCON U-20 qualifiers at Lugogo against South Sudan in the double header.
He also previously led the Hippos to the COSAFA U20 Championship in 2017 return to a side which has a new generation of players with a challenge of developing them while the results come along.
However we can have a look at the last Hippos team Lule coached and finished fourth (4th) at the COSAFA U20 Championship tournament after losing 3-1 to Egypt in the Third place playoff following a semifinal 6-5 loss on penalties to Lesotho after game finished goalless at Full-Time.
Full contingent for the COSAFA U20 Hippos team
Goalkeepers:
- Eric Kibowa
- Keni Saidi
- Ali Mwerusi
Outfield players:
- Fred Okot
- Andrew Okiringi
- Mustafa Kizza
- Victor Matovu
- Musitafa Mujjuzi
- Geoffrey Wasswa
- Abubaker Muhammed Kasule
- Julius Poloto
- David Owori
- Pius Obuya
- Frank Tumwesigye
- Shafiq Kagimu
- Allan Okello
- Muhammed Shaban
- Mujahid Baden
- Steven Mukwala
- Hamis Tibita
Officials
- Head of Delegation: Hajji Abdul Ssekabira Lukooya
- Head coach: Mathias Lule
- Assistant Coach: James Odoch
- Goalkeeping Coach: Samuel Kawalya
- Team Manager: Sulait Makumbi
- Team Doctor: Ivan Ssewanyana
- Official: Lawrence Kizito
- Media Officer: Farid Mpagi
Matia Lule has been out of the job since the end of 2023/24 season after serving as an assistant coach at Tanzania Premier League side Ihefu SC alongside Fred Kajoba (RIP) and replaces Morley Byekwaso who is currently at SC Villa as head coach.
The former Uganda Cranes assistant coach under Sebastien Desabre has previously coached KCCA FC, Express FC, Proline FC, Entebbe FC, Tanzanian sides Stand FC, Mbeya City and Singida Big Stars among others.
He will be working with Simeon Massa as his first assistant while Steven Billy Kiggundu and Noah Kasule Babadi will be the goalkeeping and fitness coaches respectively.
Full Uganda Hippos Officials
• Matia Lule – Head Coach
• Massa Simeon – Assistant Coach
• Kiggundu Steven Billy – Goalkeeping Coach
• Kasule Noah – Fitness Coach
• Mutyaba Bashir – Team Manager
• Gumisiriza Michael – Team Doctor
• Kebba Rashid – Team Doctor
• Bumpenje Frank – Team Kits Manager
• Ronald Lusulire – Team Media Officer
The Uganda Hippos provisional squad has been announced and will enter camp on Monday 16th September.
Uganda is pitted in Group B alongside South Sudan, Burundi and Ethiopia while Group A holds hosts Tanzania alongside Sudan, Rwanda, Djibouti and Kenya.
Only the two finalists at the tournament will automatically qualify for the AFCON U20 tournament to be held in 2025.
