Hippos coach Jackson Mayanja backs captain Isma Mugurusi to flourish

Hippos U-20 team captain, Isma Mugurusi is back in the team that is due to represent the country at the U-20 AFCON 2023 in Egypt.

Jackson Mayanja, the team head coach is happy with the fitness of the Greece-based captain who will be crucial in the tournament that starts February 19.

Mugurusi who plays for Makedonikos FC, a Super League 2 team in Greece joined the team on Monday and is in good shape.

He is the only professional player on the Hippos' side.

“The coming of the captain has been a good boost to the team. It’s good that he has been playing as a starter for his club in Greece. I am looking at dropping five more players to get the 25 I have to travel with to Egypt,” Mayanja said.

“I am happy and sure the boys will play attacking football. They are still young and I have told them to play to their individual best and use the ball maximumly.”

However, he blasted the poor quality of grass pitches that they have been training on and moved the training back to the Phillip Omondi KCCA stadium at Lugogo which has artificial turf.

“I know in Ismailia where we are going to play in the group stages is a grass pitch. But to avoid injuries, I have used such a pitch for only two days,” Mayanja lamented. 

On the other hand, Mugurusi is happy to captain the team once again.

When asked about his expectations, Mugurusi said the team is good to go and will put up a big challenge.