The reigning StarTimes Uganda Premier League champions Sports Club Villa have named a 25-man squad that will travel to Tanzania for the upcoming 2024 CECAFA Kagame Cup.
The tournament is set to take place from Tuesday July 9th to 21st at the Azam Complex in Chamazi and KMC Stadium in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The squad features three goalkeepers, seven defenders, twelve midfielders, and three forwards.
Goalkeeper John Braddy Wokorach, who had a stellar season in Villa’s first league triumph in two decades with six clean sheets, headlines the goalkeepers list. He will be joined by Meddie Kibirige and Norman Angufindru.
In the defense, the Jogoos will miss former captain Kenneth Semakula, who departed the club after his contract expired at the end of last season.
Nonetheless, the travelling backline will consist of new reinforcements including Kato Semayange, Denis Kaka Omony and Geoffrey Lubangakene, plus Cyrus Kibande, Arnold Odong, Edward Masembe and David Owori who have been at the club.
The strong 12-man travelling midfield includes Patrick Kakande, who dominated the Pilsner SUPL Season Awards with four awards including Player of the Season, Young Player of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season, and also featured in the Team of the Season.
He is accompanied by Ronald Ssekiganda, who was also named in last season’s Best XI, along with Atukunda Tonny, Hakim Kiwanuka, Diego Semugera, Aslam Semakula, Elvis Ngonde, Johnson Senyonga, Reagan Mpande and Peter Onzima, and new players Najib Yiga and Mpagi Isaac.
The Jogoos are taking only three forwards to Tanzania for the CECAFA Kagame Cup by the names of Charles Lwanga, Junior Niwamanya and Andrew Otim.
Surprisingly, “new signing” Emmanuel Ajo is absent from the squad despite club CEO Eng. William Nkemba and spokesperson AIGP (Rtd) Asan Kasingye earlier claiming to have signed the forward from Busoga United.
The traveling technical staff notably includes Serbian coach Momcilo Medic, who, despite prior denials of his appointment by the club, will be in charge of statistics.
The team will be led by Head Coach Dusan Stojanovic, supported by Assistant Head Coach Morley Byekwaso, Goalkeeping Coach Yusuf Ssenyonjo, Strength and Conditioning Coach Ram Nyakana, Team Doctor Syson Taremwa, Team Manager Ali Kayongo, Kitsman Fred Kalibbala, and Dan Obote as Head of Delegation.
SC Villa are Uganda’s only representatives 2024 CECAFA Kagame Cup, and they were drawn Group C, where they will face off against Rwanda Premier League champions APR FC, Singida Black Stars of Tanzania, and El Merriekh from South Sudan.
If the Jogoos top their group, or finish as the best-placed second-place finisher, they will advance to the semifinals of the tournament.
SC Villa Full Travelling Squad:
Goalkeepers:
1. John Braddy Wokorach
2. Meddie Kibirige
3. Norman Angufindru
Defenders:
1. Cyrus Kibande
2. Arnold Odong
3. Kato Semayange
4. Denis Kaka Omony
5. Edward Masembe
6. David Owori
7. Geoffrey Lubangakene
Midfielders:
1. Patrick Kakande
2. Ronald Ssekiganda
3. Atukunda Tonny
4. Hakim Kiwanuka
5. Diego Semugera
6. Aslam Semakula
7. Elvis Ngonde
8. Najib Yiga
9. Johnson Senyonga
10. Reagan Mpande
11. Mpagi Isaac
12. Peter Onzima
Forwards:
1. Charles Lwanga
2. Junior Niwamanya
3. Andrew Otim
Technical Staff:
Head Coach: Dusan Stojanovic
Assistant Head Coach: Morley Byekwaso
Statistics Coach: Momcilo Medic
Goalkeeping Coach: Yusuf Ssenyonjo
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Ram Nyakana
Team Doctor: Syson Taremwa
Team Manager: Ali Kayongo
Kitsman: Fred Kalibbala
Leader of Delegation: Dan Obote
