Uganda Hippos beat FUFA Big League side Jinja North United 1-0 in a friendly match on Monday at the FUFA Technical Center, Njeru.
Ibrahim Kasinde scored the only goal in the second half.
The team is preparing for the upcoming AFCON U20 Championship in Egypt is due February 19 to March 11.
“We wanted to give everyone a feel of the match, as you know most of these players haven’t been getting enough playing time during the league while others are not attached,” said Uganda Hippos head coach Jackson Mayanja.
“They are improving each passing day, and that friendly against Jinja North helped me to assess these players in a match situation.”
“In training, they are improving in terms of fitness levels and in the evening we work on the tactical and technical part of the game.”
Mayanja summoned 50 players to start training and the team has spent almost 10 days in camp.
He has admitted tight competition for places on the final squad and added that they will be trimming some players this week.
The Hippos will continue training at Njeru and will also have more friendlies including a double header against BUL FC this week.
“I must commend BUL Coach Alex Isabirye for accepting these friendlies and I will use them to continue assessing this squad.
“We are playing BUL on Wednesday and Saturday, they are a top team. We will also play KCCA and I hope we get Vipers as well.”
Hippos captain Isma Mugulusi and newly unveiled left back at CD Leganes Ibrahim Juma are some of the players yet to jet in the country.
The Hippos will be seeking to repeat the 2021 heroics when they went all the way to the final in a tournament held in Mauritania.
They are in Group B alongside Central Africa Republic, Congo Brazzaville, and South Sudan.
Uganda Hippos Players Used
Starting XI – Abdu Magada, Pius Ssebulime, Jimmy Ndalambi, Apollo Kagogwe, Ronald Madoi, Frank Katongole, Patrick Kakande, Jemba Abdul Shakur Ramsey, Issa Bugembe, Andrew Kawooya, Rogers Mugisha
Second Half: Kamya Shamran, Haruna Lukwago, Umar Lutalo, Rogers Torach, Manyangwa, Ivan Irinimbabazi, Ibrahim Kasinde, Thomas Kakaire, Emmanuel Mukisa, Saidi Mayanja, Rogers Mugisha…Mugi out, Hassan Mubiru on
