Kumalo Sports Academy Records Massive Turnout Ahead of Friendly Matches

Gulu-Uganda: Kumalo Sports Academy has recorded an impressive turnout of players at training ground as the Under-19 side steps up preparations for a busy week of friendly matches.

Nearly 99 per cent of the players reported for Tuesday’s training session, giving the coaching staff a strong squad as the young players prepare to face Legacy FC and Lwani Sports Academy.

The training session also provided an opportunity for players, who come from different schools, to reunite with their teammates and work together toward a common goal.

Interim Head Coach and Technical Director of Kumalo Sports, Gilbert Mwaka, said the friendly matches are intended to assess how well the players are adapting to the style of play introduced since they resumed training last Saturday.

Mwaka explained that the academy plans to organize more friendly matches during the short school holiday to give the players enough competitive exposure while ensuring they have sufficient time to concentrate on their studies when they return to school.

“We want to use this short holiday effectively by giving the players enough games to test what they have been learning in training,” Mwaka said.

Meanwhile, Kumalo Sports Chief Executive Officer Ivan Oyo reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to supporting the team throughout the training and matches. He said the academy is prepared to facilitate the games and ensure that the players and technical team have everything they need.

Kumalo Sports Academy Under-19 will face Legacy FC on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. before taking on Lwani Soccer Academy on Friday at 10:30 a.m. Both matches will be played at Gombe Junior School in Gulu.

The two matches are expected to provide an important test for the young squad as the coaching staff continues to assess the players’ progress and their understanding of the team’s playing philosophy.