Category: CECAFA

Uganda U20 Men’s Football National Team are the Champions of the CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers for the 2023 U20 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Hippos successfully defended the regional title after overcoming South Sudan in the final on Friday at Al Hilal Stadium.

Uganda had to come from a goal down to edge neighbours South Sudan in a closely contested affair.

Note should be taken that the two sides had already secured slots to the U20 Africa Cup of Nations slated for next year in Egypt but were playing the final for honours.

South Sudan that took the lead 15 minutes into the game through Felix Abishai who finished from close range.

Uganda fought back and levelled matters seven minutes later through Issa Bugembe whose ferocious strike from outside of the box found the back of the net.

The winning goal came in the second half through Wakiso Giants midfielder Titus Ssematimba.

Victory means Uganda successfully defends the CECAFA crown they won in 2020 in Tanzania.

Uganda Hippos played at U20 AFCON for the first time last year and defied odds to reach the final before losing 2-0 to eventual winners Ghana.

Abdu Magada and entire Hippos team were named best goalkeeper and Fair Play Award Winners respectively.

Uganda Hippos will tonight take on South Sudan in the final of the CECAFA U20 Zonal qualifiers at Al Hilal Stadium, Sudan.

Despite both nations sealing qualification at the final AFCON tournament in Egypt next year, they come into this encounter eager to lift the regional trophy.

The Hippos are boosted by the return of full backs Haruna Lukwago and Simon Ssemayange from COVID-19 after testing negative ahead of the final while Ibrahim Kasinde and Abasi Kyeyune are still out for the same case.

Head Coach Jackson Mayanja urged his troops to go out serious and ready to battle South Sudan so they can lift the trophy.

“We have already qualified yes but we want to wrap it up in style with victory against South Sudan and this means we have to fight hard on the pitch because we know our opponents are a strong team as well.”

Left back Ibrahim Juma believes lifting the trophy will be very motivating to the entire team and country.

“We already qualified and now our focus as a team is to lift the trophy. This is what we want now and it will motivate us and the nation at large.”

It should be noted that the Hippos are the defending champions having defeated hosts then Tanzania 4-1 in 2020.

Uganda U20 Men’s National Team, The Hippos are through to the 2023 U20 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Sudan in the semifinals of the ongoing CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers.

The Hippos defied odds to overcome hosts Sudan to reach the final of the regional Championship, a result that meant returning to the continental showpiece.

Two goals from defender Rogers Torach and captain Isma Mugulusi ensured Uganda edged Sudan in the semifinal contest played on Tuesday at Kober Stadium.

It should be noted the two finalists at the CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers represent the region in the final tournament.

Therefore Uganda and South Sudan who beat Ethiopia 4-2 on penalties got the two slots and will face of in the final to determine the Champion.

Uganda will play at the final tournament for the second successive time, having featured at the last edition in 2021 where they defied odds to play all the way to the final before losing to eventual winners Ghana.

Uganda Hippos return into action tonight against hosts Sudan in the semi finals at the ongoing CECAFA AFCON U20 Zonal Qualifiers in Sudan.

It will be the first time in the tournament that the Hippos will be playing on artificial turf at Kober stadium.

Nothing but qualification to the final AFCON U20 tournament in Egypt next year is what Uganda will be aiming at having tasted the fruits in the previous edition in Mauritania, 2021.

Against the hosts Sudan, the Hippos face a huge mountain to climb who finished top in Group A.

Interim head Coach Jackson is however positive they will do the needful to seal qualification.

“We are well of the task before us and what our target is. We are playing on artificial turf but this is not an issue because we have played on it before at home. This is an important match for us and we shall give our best.”

Skipper Isma Mugulusi expressed his delight for returning and hopes his experience here will count.

“I thank God we are in the semis, everyone knows the importance of this game and as a player I will give all I can to ensure we go through because playing at the AFCON will be another opportunity for us to market ourselves just like we did in Mauritania.”

Uganda finished runners up in group B behind Ethiopia while Sudan topped group A.

In the other semi final match, South Sudan with face off against Ethiopia.

The two finalists will represent CECAFA region at the 2023 AFCON U20 tournament in Egypt.

Uganda Hippos will play their second and final group match at the ongoing AFCON U20 Zonal Qualifiers on Saturday late evening against Ethiopia at Al Hilal Stadium.

The Hippos who are already through to the semi finals following Tanzania failure to get maximum points against Ethiopia in their second match will make some few changes according to interim head coach Jackson Mayanja.

“It’s our last group game and we want to get positive results to ensure we top it. We have trained well apart from skipper Mugulusi who suffered a slight knock and we shall rest him in this as well as making a few more changes.” He said in the pre match press conference.

Assistant captain Titus Ssematimba just like his coach indicates they won’t take this game for granted together with his teammates.

“We are in good mood and prepared well. We want to top the group and do to this we have to get positive results against Ethiopia without undermining them.”

Uganda beat Tanzania in their first group B encounter and will know their semi finals opponents after their encounter against Ethiopia.

The two teams that will reach the finals will represent CECAFA Region in the final U20 AFCON tournament in Egypt in 2023.

Uganda Hippos are into the semifinals of the ongoing CECAFA, AFCON U20 Zonal Qualifiers in Sudan.

The confirmation follows a group B tie, between Tanzania and Ethiopia on Wednesday at Al Hilal Stadium which ended 2-2.

The result meant that Tanzania who completed their group games now have 1 point, same as Ethiopia who still have a game left against Uganda that will come on Saturday 05th at Al Hilal Stadium.

Tanzania only hope to make it to the semi finals lie in Uganda as they will be hoping for a win in favour of the Hippos against Ethiopia of more than two goals without scoring any.

In the semi finals, Hippos could face hosts Sudan, South Sudan or Burundi depending on who will qualify from group A.

Two nations that will reach the finals will represent CECAFA region at the 2023 U20 AFCON tournament in Egypt next year.

Uganda Hippos embarked on the mission to return to the U20 AFCON tournament on a bright note with a 2-0 victory over rivals Tanzania on Saturday evening at the Al Hilal Stadium.

The first quarter of the gamw witnessed a cagey approach from both sides.

A minute later, Ibrahim Kasinde chip from the right met Abasi Kyeyune but the latter failed to control it in the opponents box.

In the 23rd minute, skipper Isma Mugulusi had a chance to break the deadlock but his shot from the 18 yard box was blocked.

The awaited moment then came in the 31st minute as Titus Ssematimba broke the deadlock with a cool finish.

Three minutes later, the Hippos doubled their lead through Rogers Mugisha who capitalized on a Kasinde minute on the right, a move that was initiated from the middle of the park by Frank Katongole.

In the second stanza, the Tanzanians returned desperate to change things but the Hippos were resilient.

The 63rd minute saw Hippos make changes introducing Faisal Wabyoona and Simon Mukisa for Kasinde and Ronald Madoi respectively.

With a quarter an hour to play, defender Samson Kasozi made a timely goal line clearance to deny the visitors after goalie Abdu Magada was beaten.

Tanzanian continued pressing for a consolation with a 78th minute cross from the left beautifully punched away by Magada.

With 10 minutes to play, Hippos made the third change with Kyeyune paving way for Simon Ssemayange.

The Jackson Mayanja coached side managed to keep it tight at the back to ensure they walk away with maximum points and a clean sheet.

Hippos will return to action on Saturday 05th November against Ethiopia at Al Hilal Stadium.