Former Cranes Stars Appointed for Coaching Roles For U-17 AFCON Qualifiers

Former Uganda Cranes internationals Steven Bengo and Sadam Juma have been appointed as assistants to coach Laryea Kingston ahead of the CAF U-17 AFCON CECAFA qualifiers in Ethiopia.

Steven Bengo, a former Uganda Cranes attacking midfielder, featured for SC Villa, Express FC, KCCA FC, Soana FC, and Young Africans SC in Tanzania, among others.

His managerial career includes handling Bushenyi Veterans, Wembley Boys FC, and Wakiso Giants FC, among others.

Sadam Ibrahim ‘Nature’, also a former Uganda Cranes attacking midfielder, played for clubs like KCCA FC, SC Villa, Express FC, Soccer Club Victoria University, and Vipers SC. He has managerial experience at Juventus Academy in Nanjing.

Sadam working at Juventus Academy- Nanjing Photo courtesy.

Yasin Mugabi has been appointed as the goalkeeping coach, having featured for Proline FC, SC Villa, KCCA FC, Lusaka Dynamos, Wakiso Giants, and Red Arrows, among others.

He currently serves as goalkeeping coach at KCCA FC. The draw for the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers will take place in Kampala on October 31, 2025.

Yasin Mugabi with Ronnie Kalema Photo courtesy.

Ten teams will compete in the regional tournament, which kicks off in Ethiopia on November 15. Hosts Ethiopia and defending champions Uganda are the top seeds, joined by Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, Somalia, and Djibouti.

Sadam against Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League photo courtesy.

Former KCCA FC attacking midfielder Patrick Ssenfuka has been appointed as the kit manager.

Uganda U-17 squad for the CECAFA U-17 AFCON Zonal Qualifiers 2025 into positions:

Squad Breakdown

• Goalkeepers: 4 players
  • Akisam Ndaye (Rays Of Grace)
  • Muhammad Masabo (Volf Academy)
  • Adrian Ssemugera (Solitilo B. Stars JT)
  • Richard Mukisa (NEC JT)
• Defenders: 11 players
  • Musa Matovu Musisi (NEC JT)
  • Frank Katongole (St. Julian H/S)
  • Elisa Mukisa (St. Julian H/S)
  • Enock Mwesigwa (Volf Academy)
  • Abulhafie Ukasha Jjemba (JCCA FC JT)
  • Mudawakali Sumaku (Bukedea CS)
  • Eze Kombi (Amus College)
  • Hilala Agiga (Amus College)
  • Musa Ssuuna (Amus College)
  • Ibrahim Waita (Buddo SS)
  • Trevor Mubiru (Vipers SC JT)
• Midfielders: 11 players
  • Joseph Langol (Lugazi FC JT)
  • Eric Isabirye (Rays of Grace)
  • Brian Olwa (Edgars Youth Academy)
  • Bob Jerica Atendele (Edgars Youth Academy)
  • Ismail Fahad (KCCA FC JT)
  • Habert Cherotim (Bukedea CS)
  • Henry Muhoozi (Amus College)
  • Roy Olala (Buddo SS)
  • Ashiraf Kyakuwa (Vipers SC JT)
  • Owen Mukisa (Vipers SC JT)
  • Victors Kahinda (Express FC)
• Forwards: 5 players
  • Shakur Ngobi (Vipers SC JT)
  • Nicholas Kawooya (Buddo SS)
  • Geofrey Wasswa Ssenfuka (Bukedea CS)
  • Lorian Kisakye Lwesibawa (St. Juliana H/S)
  • Ibrahim Ali Nangalama (NEC FC JT)