Byekwaso to stick with youth despite elimination

KAMPALA- Sports Club Victoria University (SCVU) coach Morley Byekwaso is not about to change his policies.

Despite elimination from the Caf Confederations Cup at the preliminary round, Byekwaso insists that he will continue to give young players the chance to develop at the club.

The university side won 1-0 on Sunday against DR Congo side CS Don Bosco but was still eliminated 3-1 on aggregate after losing the first leg 3-0 in Lubumbashi. Byekwaso maintain that the result only served to strengthen his belief in the players.

“If we can beat such an experienced team then it shows we are on the right track,” said the youthful coach in a confident tone. “I together with Ibrahim Sekagya and Wilson Ggayi among others were thrown in at the deep end in 1996 by coach Mike Mutebi while at KCC. “And because coach Mike (Mutebi)believed in us we managed to win a title the following season,” emphasizes Byekwaso.

The SCVU tactician says he is borrowing a leaf from Mutebi and is not about to give up on his team.

“Like him (Mutebi), I also have absolute belief that the players currently at the club can go on and scale greater heights,” said the former Uganda Cranes international.
The coach also revealed he had the full backing of club owner Simo Dubajic despite the team’s elimination.

“He understands what I am trying to do which is why we bought all these players from the university and Big League sides,” he said.

On Sunday, SC Victoria gave competitive debuts to three players; David Ndihabwe, signed from Makerere University Business School (Mubs), started in the holding role with former Kampala University forward Mathew Odong, who scored the lone goal at Namboole, leading the line. Another youngster Daniel Isiagi replaced Ndihabwe at the start of the second half.

Isiagi, who is a Senior Six vacist, has had training stints with the youth teams of Chievo and Genoa in Italy.

Also on the team was former Maroons’ exciting winger Peter Otai. The club also signed goal poacher Siraje Muhindo and defender Hamza Delu from the University League.

YOUNG PLAYERS AT SCVU
Denis Okot 21
Hamza Delu 20
David Ndihabwe 19
Ceasar Sapeo 20
Daniel Nsubuga 21
Muwadda Mawejje 21
Mutyaba Muzamir 21
Siraje Muhindo 19
Savio Kabugo 19
Simon Okwi 20
Yassar Mugerwa 19
Emma Kalyowa 19
Peter Otai 20
Fred Agandu 19
Martin Mpuga 22
Isaac Muleme 22
Daniel Isiagi 20
Mathew Odong 18
Brian Ochwo 19
Bernard Agele 22
Murshid Jjuko 21
Peter Otai 20
* SCVU has 27 licensed players including Mike Sserumaga.

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