KAMPALA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has named Matia Lule as the country's new U-20 head coach, as they gear up for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U-20 CECAFA qualifiers.
A former assistant coach of the senior national team, Lule will lead the team during the qualifiers to be held on October 6-20 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Lule was assistant coach of Uganda when they last appeared in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. The coach, who has also led several teams in Uganda, most recently took the helm at Singida FC, in Tanzania's Premier League.
Lule replaces Morley Byekwaso, who took over as head coach of Uganda Premier League reigning champions SC Villa. The new coach will work alongside assistant coach Simeon Massa and goalkeeping coach Billy Steven Kiggundu.
Lule told Xinhua on Sunday that he was excited to work with youngsters again. "I thank FUFA for offering me this opportunity again. I am ready to work hard with the team and make sure we qualify for the continental competition," added Lule.
"The new coach is expected to announce the squad on September 16 to start serious preparations ahead of the qualifier," Ahmed Hussein, FUFA's Head of Communications told Xinhua on Sunday.
Defending champions Uganda are placed in Group B alongside South Sudan, Burundi and Ethiopia. Hosts Tanzania are in Group A together with Sudan, Rwanda, Djibouti and Kenya.
The best two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals, while the two finalists will be eligible to represent the zone at the continental tournament in 2025 in a country yet to be disclosed. ■
