Attacking midfielders Travis Mutyaba and Titus Ssematimba have joined Uganda Hippos camp as the team prepares for AFCON U20 tournament.

The duo who were part of the Uganda Cranes team at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Algeria, trained with the Hippos on Monday at Lugogo.

A couple of players were released including goalkeeper Denis Ssenyondwa Kaala of Bushenyi Veterans.

Defenders Sula Mpanga (Maroons), Jimmy Ndalambi (Blacks Power) and Cyrus Kibande (Terranova) were cut off.

Allan Kiggundu (BUL), Faizo Kyazze (Manyangwa), Hakim Mutebi (St Mary’s Kitende), Owen Mukisa (BUL) are the midfielders that have been let go by coach Jackson Mayanja.

The dropped forwards include Ivan Asaba (Vipers), Ibrahim Kasinde (Bright Stars), Abas (Kyeyune), Emmanuel Mukisa (Kataka), Simeo Ssevime (Rubaga) and Thomas Kakaire (Unattached).

Ibrahim Juma left for Leganes and made his debut on Sunday, Simon Ssemayange (Bright Stars) got ruled out by an injury while Ivan Irinimbabazi (Bright Stars) left for trials with Scottish side Dundee United.

Foreign-based players Allan Enyou (Elite Falcon – Dubai), Isma Mugulusi (Makedonikos, Greece), Christian Mulindwa (Rangers) and Oscar Mawa (Italy) are yet to arrive in camp.

The training on Monday was the first at Lugogo since the team relocated to Cranes Paradise Hotel, Kisasi.

The held training sessions at FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru where they had friendlies against BUL, Jinja North and Gaddafi.

The Hippos are preparing for the AFCON U20 tournament that will take place between 19th February to 11th March in Egypt.

Mayanja’s charges are pitted in Group B along Congo Brazaville, Central African Republic and South Sudan.

Current Hippos players in camp:

Goalkeepers

Abdu Magada (Gaddafi FC)
Shamulan Kamya (Soltilo Bright Stars FC)
Venacious Nsumba (Wakiso Giants FC)
Delton Oyo (SC Villa)

Defenders

Haruna Lukwago (KCCA FC), Justine Opiro(URA FC)Samson Kasozi (UPDF FC), Ronald Madoi (Wakiso Giants FC), Apollo Kakogwe (Wakiso Giants FC),Rogers Torach (Vipers SC), Simon Mukisa (UPDF FC), Kiano Kitariko (Kedleston Road, Derby campus, UK), Pius Ssebulime (KCCA FC)

Midfielders

Saidi Mayanja (KCCA FC), Frank Katongole (St. Mary’s, Kitende), Abdu Shakur Ramsey Jemba(International House Football Academy, Manchester),Titus Ssematimba (Wakiso Giants FC),Travis Mutyaba (SC Villa), Faisal Wabyoona (KCCA FC), Hakim Mutebi (St. Mary’s Kitende), Hassan Mutaasa.

Forwards

Rogers Mugisha (UPDF FC), Patrick Jonah Kakande(SC Villa), Hassan Mubiru (Express FC), Issa Bugembe (Soltilo Bright Stars FC), Shafiq Magogo (UPDF FC), John Paul Ddembe(KCCA FC U20), Shaun Senkubuge Kato (Tottenham Hotspur FC)
Alpha Ssali (Unattached), Umar Lutalo (SC Villa),