CECAFA U20 Championships
Uganda 2-2 Sudan
Pece Stadium, Gulu
Wednesday, 25-09-2019
The Uganda U20 football national team, the Hippos sealed qualification to the quarter finals of the 2019 CECAFA U20 championships thanks to a 2-2 draw with Sudan on Wednesday.
Despite the progression, Morley Byekwaso’s side left a lot to be desired as they threw away a two goal lead in the game played at Pece Stadium in Gulu.
Having seen Steven Sserwadda and Bright Anukani each score once in either half, the Hippos conceded twice through Ammar Mohamed and Muhamed Abbas Namir.
Sserwadda who struck twice in the 5-1 victory over Dijon on Monday, scored off a header, connecting with an Aziz Kayondo corner on 20 minutes.
The Hippos then moved two up thanks to Anukani who was making his first start in the competition after joining the team late due to his participation with the CHAN team that beat Burundi 3-1 last Saturday.
They could have pulled clear moments after the second but Sadat Anaku blasted over from inside the area after he was set up by Sserwadda.
With 14 minutes to play, Sudan started their come-back.
Defender Mohamed headed in a corner as he out jumped the Hippos defence to make it 2-1.
In response to conceding the first goal, Byekwaso called for a double change with Ivan Bogere and Yiga Najib replacing Anaku and Sserwadda.
Sudan’s come back was completed in the 89th minutes as Abbas scored a second to ensure the scores are 2-2.
Inside the four added on minutes, the Hippos went in search of a winner buy Sudan stood firm to see out the result that meant they finish top of group A.
For Uganda, they ended up in third and qualified as one of the two best third placed teams.
In the quarters, the Hippos will take on South Sudan while Sudan face off with Kenya.
The other last 8 contests will see Eritrea battle Zanzibar while Burundi faces Tanzania.
Hippos team against Sudan
Starting XI
Denis Otim- GK (1) Joseph Kafumbe (14), Abdul Aziz Kayondo (3), Gavin Kizito Mugweri – Captain (5), Kenneth Semakula (4), Bright Anukani (6),Hassan Ssenyonjo (12), Ivan Asaba (11), Steven Sserwadda (8), Sadat Anaku Happy (10), Sadam Masereka (20)
Substitutes
Jack Komakech-GK (18), Patrick Mubiru-GK (19), Kevin Ssekimbegge (2), Robert Kitabalwa (16), Isma Mugulusi (15), Derrick Kigundu (13) , Ivan Bogere (9), Najib Yiga (7)
The quarter final match-ups
-Uganda vs South Sudan
-Eritrea vs Zanzibar
-Kenya vs Sudan
-Burundi vs Tanzania
