By JOSHUA .A. BACWA
Uganda Revenue Football Club centre back Benjamin Nyakoojo Araali is pleased having been summoned to the Uganda team preparing for the upcoming international build up matches in Europe and Asia.
Nyakoojo confessed to 105.6 Jubilee Radio Sports Department that the summon is truly humbling and motivates him to work extra harder.
“It is humbling to be summoned to any national team. This is one of our ultimate dreams as football players. I feel happy and this is motivating enough to even work hard” Nyakoojo attests.
Nyakoojo kicked off his football career at St. Mary’s Kitende SSS from 2015 to 2016. Later, that year he was promoted to the senior team, Vipers SC where he instantly became a force and got first team football before joining masavu fc on loan. At the end of the 2016 – 2017 season, Nyakoojo left Vipers and transferred to Uganda Revenue Authority Football Club (URA FC) for the 2018-2019 season.
Nyakoojo studied his ordinary level at Nyakasura School in Fort Portal tourism city where football was never a priority compared to cricket and basketball. It was during the La Mennais tournament as he was featuring for St Edwards Bukuumi where he was spotted by David Bbaale, then a coach at St Mary’s Boarding SS Kitend.
Nyakoojo is best known for the awesome aerial strength during a football duel, great tackler, man-marker and passer of the ball over long distances.
“I have always worked for this opportunity and I thank God. I will remain focused and work hard each and everyday” Nyakoojo notes.
He is among the summoned squad of 44 players ahead of the five international matches later this month.
The players will converge on the morning of 9th January 2022 and hold a training session later in the evening and will depart for for Turkey is 10th January 2022.
The first build up against Iceland on 12th January 2022 in Antalya city, Turkey.
The second match will come on 15th January 2022 against Botosani (in Antalya) and the third match shall come on 18th January 2022 against Moldova, also in Antalya.
Uganda Cranes shall then face Iraq on 21st January 2022 in Baghdad city, and finally Bahrain on 27th January 2022 in – Bahrain city. The team returns home on the 28th January 2022.
The Full Summoned Squad:
Goalkeepers: Charles Lukwago (Saint George, Ethiopia), Isima Watenga (Chippa United, South Africa), Joel Mutakubwa (Express), Benjamin Ochan (KCCA), Nafian Alionzi (URA), Jack Komakech (Vipers)
Defenders: Gavin Kizito Mugweri (SC Villa), Innocent Wafula (KCCA), James Begisa (UPDF), Geriga Atendele (Arua Hills), Abdu Aziizi Kayondo (Vipers SC), Eric Senjobe (Police), Herbert Achai (KCCA), Juma Ibrahim (KCCA), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers), Denis Iguma (KCCA), Livingstone Mulondo (Vipers), John Revita (KCCA), Enock Walusimbi (Express), Fesali Najib (URA), Kenneth Semakula (SC Villa), Joseph Bright Vuni (Arua Hill), Benjamin Nyakojjo (URA)
Midfielders: Bobosi Byaruhanga (Vipers), George Kasonko (BUL), Mahad Kakooza (Express), Ashraf Mugume (KCCA), Shafik Kagimu (URA), Bright Anukani (Vipers), Saidi Kyeyune (URA), Martin Kizza (Express)
Forwards: Kaddu Patrick (Unattached), Milton Karisa (Vipers), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers), Sadat Anaku (KCCA), Travis Mutyaba (SC Villa), Muhamed Shaban (Onduparaka), Rogers Mato (KCCA), Musa Esenu (BUL), Alfred Leku (Arua Hill), Steven Mukwala (URA), Cromwell Rwothomio (URA), Kirya Amos (Gaddafi), Sentamu Yunus (Vipers), Sematimba Titus (Wakiso Giants)
