They will book their World Cup ticket once they qualify for the semifinals of the competition in Egypt.

Uganda just like anyone else will always rue the Covid-19 pandemic which brought the world to its knees.

At the time, the Hippos, runners up at the 2021 AFCON U20 had qualified for the U20 World Cup which didn’t happen because of the pandemic.

Now Hippos head coach Jackson Mayanja says his target is to qualify the team to the finals in Lebanon.

“My goal is to see this team go to the world cup, I set this goal from the day I was appointed as head coach for this team,” Mayanja said.

“In Uganda even the U-5 has never qualified for the world cup so the goal is the world cup for the federation and everyone around this team,” he added.

The Cranes and KCCA FC legend was also quick to dismiss the comparison between the 2021 AFCON squad which finished as runners up and the current squad.

“I can’t compare the two teams because this is a different set up, yes the other team did well but we are also going to do our best to perform well. These boys are equally talented that’s for sure.”

The Hippos who are set to depart for Cairo on Saturday have been boosted by the arrival of Ibrahim Juma now on the books of Spanish side Leganes and Ivan Irinmbabazi who recently joined Scottish side Dundee United for trials.

The Hippos are grouped in pool B alongside Congo, Central African Republic and South Sudan.

They will book their World Cup ticket once they qualify for the semifinals of the competition in Egypt.

Current Hippos in camp at The Cranes Paradise Hotel, Kisaasi

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 Opiru (URA FC), Samson Kasozi (UPDF FC), Ronald Madoi (Wakiso Giants FC), Apollo Kakogwe (Wakiso Giants FC), Rogers Torach (Vipers SC), Umar Lutalo (SC Villa), Simon Mukisa (UPDF FC) , Pius Ssebulime (KCCA FC), Ibrahim Juma (Leganes CD, Spain) 

Midfielders: Saidi Mayanja (KCCA FC), Frank Katongole (St. Mary’s, Kitende), Jemba AbduShakur Ramsey (International House Football Academy, Manchester), Isma Mugulusi (Makedonikos FC, Greece), Titus Ssematimba (Wakiso Giants FC), Travis Mutyaba (SC Villa), Mutebi Hakim (SC. Villa), Ivan Irinimbabazi (Soltilo Bright Stars FC) 

Forwards: Rogers Mugisha (UPDF FC), Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa), Issa Bugembe (Soltilo Bright Stars FC), Shafiq Magogo (UPDF FC), John Paul Dembe (KCCA FC U20), Alpha Ssali (Proline FC), Emmanuel Mukisa (Kataka FC)