The 20-year-old came on in the second half of Thurday’s 1-0 win over South Sudan in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match at St Mary’s stadium, replacing Khalid Aucho in the 77th minute.

The midfielder showed glimpses of his talent in an energetic display and admitted in his post-match interview with Vipers Media that it was a proud moment for him.

“It was a special moment and I couldn’t enjoy it more than I did,” he told this website after the game. “The coach [Jonathan Mckinstry] said just enjoy it, get on the ball and try and get a few touches in and just enjoy the game.

”I think it is a proud moment. You work hard to get there and the club and coach have helped me so it is just a proud moment getting some minutes in National colours.“ 

But after his first taste of Cranes action against South Sudan, the youngster who won the Cecafa Challenge Cup last year – insists he now wants to work even harder to get more call ups under Mckinstry.

“I just tried to get into the game, got a few touches, so it was good, but I now have to keep my feet on the ground, keep working hard and when my chances come, I have just got to take them,” he continued.

”I think the coach has done a brilliant job and helped me improve so much since he saw me make my debut for my club [Vipers SC]. I am not the first one [to make my debut] and l know how it feels donning that Cranes jersey.”

Uganda and South Sudan will face each other again on Monday (November 16) in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, in a game moved from Juba as the stadium there is being renovated

WATAMBALA PROFILE
Full Name: Abdul Karim Watambala
Birth Date: March 3, 2000
Age: 20yrs
Nationality: Ugandan
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Strong Foot: Left
Current Team: Vipers
League: Uganda Premier League
Seasons: 2019-2020
Weight: 68 kgs
Height: 165cm
Jersey No: 25

Source: www.viperssc.co.ug