AFCON U-20: Uganda Held by S-Sudan Book Quarter Final Date with Nigeria.

Uganda Hippos and South Sudan shared points in the last group B match to both qualify for the 2023 Total Energies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations quarter finals.

Uganda topped group B and Congo finished in second place despite both finishing with 5 points, with same goal difference, same goals scored and same goals conceded.

Uganda contenders to lift the trophy, will take on West Africans Nigeria that finished runners up in group A behind Senegal on Thursday 2nd March at Suez Canal Stadium.

The winner in the quarter final clash between Uganda and Nigeria will face the winner between Gambia and South Sudan in the Semis.

The draw meant the South Sudanese qualified for their first ever quarter finals at the AFCON U-20 Finals.

In an exciting last group game between neighbours Uganda and South Sudan, there were some key moments worth mentioning.

Winger Rogers Mugisha got a chance to put the Hippos in the lead in the 38th minute when he was set up by Mutyaba but his effort was blocked for a corner.

Central midfielder Mayanja was another Ugandan player who could have scored in the first half, but his effort was well dealt by the goal keeper Sabio.

South Sudan was denied a goal in the 45th minute by an offside flag when lanky forward Abishai put the ball behind the back of the net.

South Sudanese other opportunity to take have a goal hit the cross bar when goal keeper Magada failed to connect to the long ball.

Mayanja who was as lively as Travis Mutyaba on the day, was unlucky not to get a penalty when he was pushed at the back by center back John in the 48th minute.

The South Sudanese got the best opportunity of the second half but Santos failed to burry the chance when Rogers Torach miss kicked the clearance.

Mutyaba with his magical left foot almost broke the deadlock in the 69th minute but his shot effort went inches off the mark.

Defender Apollo Kagogwe unluckily was denied his goal when put the ball at the back of the net in the 79th minute but the assistant referee rose the flag when he was actually onside.

In the dyeing minutes of the game, Mutyaba rose to the occasion once again, struck the ball from long range but his effort was pushed out by the goal keeper.

Head coach Jackson Mayanja made a couple of changes from the team that drew 2-2 with Congo; Isa Bugembe, center back Ronald Madoi and Travis Mutyaba replaced John Paul Dembe, captain Mugulusi and Haruna Lukwago respectively.

There was however another tactical switch by coach Mayanja, played central defender Kagogwe at right back in place of Lukwago and brought in Madoi to pair with Torach at center of defense.

He clearly stated Uganda’s target was to qualify for the quarters and the main target is to go to the World Cup.

SC Villa’s Patrick Kakande replaced Issa Bugembe in the 57th minute but couldn’t make an impact on the result.

Hippos no 10 Travis Mutyaba was named man of the match for his extra ordinary peformance on the night making things happen for re team in absence of captain Mugulusi.

Uganda then debutants, lost the last edition (2021) final to Ghana 2-0 that were held in Nouakchott, Mauritania.

Uganda Hippos XI
I.Magada, Apollo Kagogwe, Umaru Lutalo, Rogers Torach, Ronald Madoi, Frank Katongole, Mayanja, Titus Sematimba, Travis Mutyaba, Rogers Mugisha, Issa Bugembe

Substitutes

Ivan Irinimbabazi, Shafiq Magogo, Alpha Ssali, S, Kamya, John Paul Dembe, Isma Mugulusi, Ibrahim Juma, Justin Opiro, Samson Kasozi

South Sudan U-20 XI
G.Sabio, E.Lob, D John, M.Achiek, B.Anyang, K.Wani, S.Mabok, J.Jele, A Abiaza, A. Abishai, P.Mara

Substitutes
L.Brown, P.Aparer, K.Martin, J.Koal, T.Feni, D.Salah, T.Juoch, E Wajo, G.Rugi, T. Mayor

Coach
P.Wani