Ibrahim Sekagya is in no doubt that the youngsters roped into the new-look Cranes outfit for the Cecafa Tusker Challenge Cup will progress to become national stars.

The former Cranes captain however insisted that this will only be possible if Bobby Williamson decides to stand by the group irrespective of the Cecafa results as he embarks on a rebuilding process.

"It's good to know that young players have been brought into the team for the championship. But this will count for nothing if most of them are ignored for major qualifiers. It will be important that they are kept in the system for psychological reasons," Sekagya pointed.

Over the years, there has been a precedent where players summoned for national duty compete in regional championships but are overlooked for major international qualifiers.

"Keeping them with the team motivates the rest coming through.

"It's much easier to improve a player still in the setup than one who is in and out of the team. It fights this negative belief among some that feel they are only 'Cecafa players'."

Nicholas Wadada, Gift Ali, Joseph Mpande Mbolingo and Robert Omunuk are among the youngsters invited to the team.