Rogers Mato (born 10 October 2003)[1] is a Ugandan professional footballer who plays for Macedonian First Football League club AP Brera and the Uganda national team.[2]

Rogers Mato
Mato with Uganda in 2023
Personal information
Full name Rogers Mato Kassim
Date of birth (2003-10-10) 10 October 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth Uganda
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Midfielder,
Centre-forward
Team information
Current team
AP Brera
Number 20
Youth career
Lweza
0000–2018 Maroons
2018–2019 Proline
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2021 Proline
2021–2023 KCCA
2023–2024 Şanlıurfaspor 5 (0)
2024– AP Brera 23 (2)
International career
2022– Uganda 26 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 June 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 6 September 2024

Club career

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As a youth Mato played for Lweza FC and Maroons FC of the junior league. In 2018 he joined the youth setup of Proline FC of the FUFA Big League. For the 2019–20 season, Mato was promoted to the senior squad, but suffered relegation with the team during the season that was abandoned because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He became an important player for the club the following season, leading them to the promotion playoffs before coming short with a loss to Gaddafi FC. In September 2021 it was announced that the player had signed a 4-year contract with 13-time Uganda Premier League champions KCCA FC for an undisclosed fee.[3]

After a year with Şanlıurfaspor of the Turkish First League, Mato moved to Brera Strumica of North Macedonia's First Football League in February 2024. He made his competitive debut for the club on 18 February in a league fixture against FK Sileks.[4]

International career

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In September 2021 Mato was called up to the senior national team for its 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Rwanda.[5] Two months later he featured for the national side in a practice match against a representative team from the Northern Region. Mato opened the scoring as the national side went on to win 3–1.[6] In January 2022 he was called up again for five friendlies with national sides from Europe and Asia as the Cranes traveled to Turkey, Iraq, and Bahrain.[7] He went on to make his senior debut in the first match against Iceland on 12 January 2022. He started and played eighty minutes in the eventual 1–1 draw.[8]

International career statistics

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As of match played 6 September 2024.[8]
Uganda national team
Year Apps Goals
2022 9 23
2023 12 2
2024 5 1
Total 26 26
Scores and results list Uganda's goal tally first.
No Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 3 September 2022 St. Mary's Stadium-Kitende, Entebbe, Uganda   Tanzania 3–0 3–0 2022 African Nations Championship qualification
2. 28 March 2023 National Stadium, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania   Tanzania 1–0 1–0 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
3. 21 November 2023 Stade Municipal de Berkane, Berkane, Morocco   Somalia 1–0 1–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
4. 6 September 2024 Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa   South Africa 2–2 2–2 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

References

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  1. ^ "KCCA FC profile". KCCA FC. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  2. ^ Rogers Mato at Soccerway
  3. ^ "KCCA FC completes the signing of Proline FC forward Rogers Mato for an undisclosed fee". The Nile Post. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  4. ^ Damba, Allan. "Rogers Mato makes winning debut at his new European outfit". Pulse Sports. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  5. ^ Sang, Kiplagat. "2022 World Cup Qualifiers: Sredojevic trims Uganda squad ahead of Rwanda duel". Goal. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Cranes put up impressive friendly performance ahead of clash WC clash with Kenya". the-cleansheet.com. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  7. ^ Abdusalam, Kigozi (3 January 2022). "Micho Summons 45-man squad for Friendlies in Europe, Asia". chimpreports.com. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  8. ^ a b "NFT profile". National Football Teams. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
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