14 young footballers head for trials in France, Spain, Portugal & Scotland

Several clubs in France, Spain and Scotland will offer trials to young budding Uganda talents whose preparations to go to travel abroad is in high gears.

Simon Baligeya will head to FC Lyon, Ivan Irinimbabazi to AS Saint Priest, Hakim Kiwanuka to Olympique Laval and Ali Mwirusi to FC Vaulx, all in France.

Eric Ssenjobe, Derrick Emukule, Rashid Mukungu, Raymond Onyai, Nicholas Kabonge, Alfred Onek, Ivan Ocholit and Andrew Okiring will have their trials at Atletico Benidorm, CF Lanucia, Intercity CF, CF Orihuela, Boavista and Velez CF in Spain and Portugal meanwhile Enock Walusimbi and Sadat Anaku will have their trials in Scotland at Dundee United.

For starters, earlier this year, a select team of 22 players selected from across the regions of Uganda based on age, merit and availability and held exhibition matches in Spain with Turkish national Omer Selli as head coach, assisted by Richard Malinga.

The Ugandan select side played three matches before scouts, agents and intermediaries of different clubs who picked interest in players depending on their needs and preferences.

Speaking at Parliament, Hon Angura Frederick, a patron of the project, hailed the team for the discipline they exhibited.

“The discipline was top notch. We returned wholesomely and returned safely. Managed to play four games; won three matches and fell in one (2-1). The different scouts picked interest in many of our players”, he said.

The team has now camped at KCCA FC training ground in Naguru as they prepare for trials abroad.

Successful candidates will have a dream chance to play in Europe.