The top four from the tournament will qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the age category to be held from May 20th in Indonesia.

Uganda Hippos' captain Isma Mugulusi aims to qualify for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia.

The team could have made history in 2021 if they participated in the 2021 FIFA U-20 World Cup but did not take place because of the COVID-19 pandemic that forced FIFA to cancel the tournament.

However, the team captain Isma Mugulusi and a couple of the players who were part of that historic fete, have another shot this year after qualifying for the AFCON U-20 that kicks off on February 19th in Egypt.

The top four from the tournament will qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the age category to be held from May 20th in Indonesia.

Mugulusi, who arrived over the weekend from his club Makedonikos FC in Greece, believes the team can replicate that success and make up for what they missed two years ago.

“I am happy to join the camp and I am ready to lead my nation to the World Cup," the attacking midfielder-cum-striker said on arrival.

"We're doing well and can see that the players are eager to impress. I think we're capable of qualifying for the World Cup," he added after the first training of the week at the Makerere University Business School grounds on Monday.

Tough opponents

Wishes alone will not be enough for the team under the stewardship of Jackson Mayanja.

Mugulusi and his teammates know that replicating that success will be tough and that they must work harder to achieve their target of going to Indonesia.

"We are aware it won’t be easy as many nations now see us as a strong side but we shall give in all to ensure we achieve,” the captain warned.

The team is camped at Cranes Paradise expecting the arrivals of Scotland-based Ivan Irinimbabazi and Ibrahim Juma (Leganes CD, Spain) to be complete.

Uganda is in group B alongside Congo Brazzaville, Central African Republic and neighbours South Sudan.