- Uganda beat Tanzania 1-0 in their opening match
- Burundi picked up a 5-0 victory over Djibouti
- The two finalists qualify for the U20 AFCON
Defending champions Uganda started their CECAFA Under-20 Championship title defense campaign on a high with a well worked 2-0 victory over Tanzania, in the opening match played at the Al Hilal Stadium in Khartoum, Sudan.
Titus Ssematimba and Rogers Mugisha netted two first half goals that were enough to ensure the Uganda Hippos were off to a flier, in their journey to return to the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
Head coach Jackson Mayanja was delighted with the tight and disciplined display from his charges and he remains confident they have what it takes to retain their title.
“I am happy to start the tournament with a win. But I am also glad that the boys played the high passing kind of football especially in the first half,” says Mayanja.
The former Ugandan international made it clear that after winning the opening match he is optimistic that his team will keep improving. “I know we are here to try and qualify for the U-20 AFCON. But I also mind about the kind of football we play,” added Mayanja.
While Uganda Hippos will wait to face Ethiopia on November 5th, the Tanzania team will be back in action against Ethiopia in the second Group B match on November 2nd, 2022.
Match off to a cagy start
Uganda vs Tanzania. PHOTO/FUFA
Against Tanzania, the two sides were off to a cagy start with chances few and far in between in the opening 20 minutes. Skipper Isma Mugulusi, who was part of the team last year had a chance to break the deadlock after 23 minutes but his rasping shot from the edge of the area was blocked.
Uganda, who had most of the possession in the early exchanges broke the deadlock finally after 31 minutes when Ssematimba struck from inside the box. His initial header from a cross on the left was blocked but he pounced on the rebound before firing low into the net.
It just took them three minutes to double their lead, this time Mugisha firing on the volley racing unmarked on the left after a brilliant cross from the right by Kasinde.
With a 2-0 halftime lead Uganda were comfortably on the drivers’ seat. But, in the second half, the Tanzanians came back breathing fire as they pushed Uganda into their own half in a bid to restore parity.
Uganda were forced to defend deep and defender Samson Kasozi made a vital goalline clearance to deny Tanzania with 15 minutes left.
The Ugandans held on to ensure victory, and they will stomp into the semis if they beat Ethiopia in their next game.
Meanwhile, Five-star Burundi started their journey towards qualification on a flying note after thrashing Djibouti 5-0 in their opening game.
Burundi off to a flier
Burundi players line up before their match. PHOTO/CECAFA
The Burundian boys were in flying fashion, wrapping up the game in the second half on the opening ay of the tournament at the Al Hilal Stadium in Sudan.
Arthur Nibikora put Burundi ahead after 61 minutes with a well taken low shot that beat Djibouti’s goalkeeper Said Mouktar Youssouf. With just a minute after coming on to the pitch substitute Kessy Jordan Nimbona netted Burundi’s second goal after 64 minutes.
Later Nibikora netted two more goals to complete his hattrick, while Alfred Nkurunziza made it 5-0.
Mohamed Meraneh Hassan, the Djibouti coach said his team started well, but got tired in the second half. “This is a young team that lacks experience,” he added.
The Burundi coach Gustave Niyonkuru said although his players failed to find goals in the first half, he is happy they won the match with a big score. “It is good to start a tournament with a big win,” added Niyonkuru.
In the second Group A match played hosts Sudan were held to a goalless draw by South Sudan.
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