Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin Micho Sredojevic was in Egypt during the tournament and has summoned a Hippos quartet to the senior national team.
Rogers Mugisha could not hide his disappointment after the Uganda Hippos failed to qualify for the 2023 U20 FIFA World Cup in Indonesia.
At the 2023 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, where the semifinalists qualified for the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup in Indonesia, Uganda was eliminated from the quarterfinals.
Failure to qualify for the World Cup was heartbreaking, but the forward is convinced that the Hippos have a bright future ahead of them.
"As a team, we tried all we could to qualify for the World Cup, but it just could not happen," Mugisha told Pulse Sports before adding.
"It was disappointing, but we have not lost hope in ourselves, and I am confident that everyone's future amongst us is bright."
"The whole country was behind us, and we do not take that for granted; we appreciate the support."
"History will soon be made, and one of the national teams will play at the World Cup, and the Hippos will play a part," he added.
The Uganda Hippos were eliminated from the AFCON following a 1-0 loss to the record champions; the Flying Eagles of Nigeria.
"Against such teams, you have to put away the chances you create; otherwise, they will hurt you, and that is what happened," Mugisha explained.
"We had chances that could have won us the game, but we were not clinical enough and used one of the few chances they created."
"And generally, they are a big name in sports as far as Africa is concerned that could also have played in their favour."
"But to a more significant extent, the level of organization has to be highly top-notch if a team is to compete on such fronts," Mugisha added.
Mugisha was undoubtedly Uganda's best player at the tournament; he was named man of the match against the Central African Republic.
And together with teammate Rogers Torach, Mugisha was named in the Best XI of the group stages.
Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin Micho Sredojevic was in Egypt during the tournament and has summoned a Hippos quartet to the senior national team.
Ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification doubleheader against Tanzania, Mugisha, Torach, Travis Mutyaba, and Isma Mugulusi are the U20 players who were provisionally summoned.
Uganda will host its neighbours Tanzania at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Egypt on March 24 before the second game at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam four days later.
The Uganda Cranes Provisional Squad:
Goalkeepers: Jamal Salim Magoola (Richards Bay), Alionzi Nafian (URA), Charles Lukwago (St George), Joel Mutakubwa (Gaddafi)
Defenders: Gavin Kizito (Al Ittihad), James Begisa (URA), Aziz Kayondo (CD Leganes), Derrick Ndahiro (URA), Livingston Mulondo (Vipers), Geoffrey Wasswa (KCCA), Timothy Awany (Iron Ashdod), Halid Lwaliwa (FK Bregalnica), Kenneth Ssemakula (SC Villa), Rogers Torach (Vipers)
Midfielders: Siraje Sentamu (Vipers), Aucho Khalid (Yanga), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Austin), Steven Sserwadda (New York Red Bull II), Isma Mugulusi (Makedonikos), Allan Okello (KCCA), Farouk Miya (Caykur Rizespor)
Forwards: Emmanuel Okwi (Erbil), Rogers Mato (KCCA), Joseph Ochaya (Al Makawdoon), Travis Mutyaba (Villa), Steven Mukwala (Asante Kotoko), Fahad Bayo (MFK Vyskov), Richard Basangwa (Wadi Degla), Sadat Anaku (Dundee United), Rogers Mugisha (UPDF)
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