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CAF suspends Uganda's key player in Confederation tie with South Africa

Xinhua, March 19, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that Uganda's URA FC striker Robert Ssentongo is suspended for the CAF Confederations Cup return leg on April 4 against South Africa's Orlando Pirates.

Ali Ssekatawa, the URA FC Chairman told Xinhua on Wednesday that they had received communication from CAF that Ssentongo is ruled out of the return leg against the South African Premier League team.

"We wrote to them to explain to us why our player cannot play in the return leg because he was sent off in the return leg game against Madagascar's ASSM Elgeco Plus and was meant to be back against Orlando Pirates. But they have now clarified that he will miss the game as well," said Ssekatawa.

URA FC ejected ASSM Elgeco Plus 4-2 in the preliminary round before falling 2-1 to Orlando Pirates last weekend in the second round. Ssentongo scored three goals in the preliminary round, but was sent off in the return leg in Madagascar.

URA FC Head Coach Alex Isabirye said that the absence of Ssentongo is a big blow because they had hoped that he would make a big difference.

"It is unfortunate we shall not have our leading striker and will instead use the players who will be available and are fit for the game," Isabirye said.

Ssentongo who has played professional football in Ethiopia and Tanzania has also been a top scorer in the Ugandan League twice. He was also part of the Uganda Cranes team that came close to qualifying for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

URA FC are the only Ugandan team remaining in the CAF competitions this year after League Champions KCCA FC were ejected by Cameroon's Cosmos De Bafia in the preliminary round 3-1 on aggregate. Endite