COSAFA U-20 Youth Championship
Monday Results
Group A
- Zambia 2-0 Swaziland – Nkana Stadium
- Malawi 1-1 Uganda – Arthur Davies Stadium
Vipers Sports Club midfielder Frank ‘Zaga’ Tumwesigye scored late for the Uganda national U-20 team (The Hippos) as they settled for a one-all draw with Malawi during a Group A match of the COSAFA U-20 Championship at the Arthur Davies Stadium in Zambia on Monday.
Uganda played the game without their talisman and captain Muhammed ‘Jaggarson’ Shaban and right back Fred Okot.
Express midfielder Abubakar Kasule and Proline’s David Owori got close in the opening stanza of the game with attempts on target.
Following a goal-less first opening 45 minutes, the game was lit up by the opening strike from Fred Madinga on 70 minutes.
BUL center forward Hamisi Tibita took over Shaban’s slot and Julius Poloto was drifted to right back as cover up on make shift basis.
Tibita paved way for Mujahid ‘Baden’ Ogama as the second half kicked off.
Uganda technical bench led by Mathias Lule swiftly planned for the next step in a bid to salvage the situation.
With 13 minutes left on the clock, on came Vipers’ creative and stylish midfielder Frank ‘Zaga’ Tumwesigye for Owori.
The change yielded instant dividends as the midfielder’s shot on goal was parried by goal keeper C. Thom before Mukwala calmly finished in the 81st minute.
Uganda received four bookings in the highly charged and physical match.
The Mustapha duo of central defender Mujjuzi and left back Kizza got cautioned as well as midfielders Shafiq Kagimu and David Owori.
Uganda qualifies to the semi finals as the best team in group A with 5 points, same as Malawi although the Central Africans have few goals scored.
Hosts and defending champions Zambia get eliminated despite winning 2-0 against Swaziland in the other match played concurrently at Nkana stadium.
In the earlier two matches, Uganda overcame Zambia 2-0 in the opener, before finishing with ten man as they settled for a 2 all draw with Swaziland on Friday.
Along with North Africans Egypt, both guest teams have made the semi final grade.
Meanwhile, action continues on Monday afternoon with another set of double headers in group B.
Mozambique lock horns with Mauritius in Kitwe as South Africa plays Egypt at Nkana Stadium.
Uganda Hippos XI: Saidi Keni (G.K), Julius Poloto, Mustapha Kizza, Geofrey Wasswa, Mustapha Mujjuzi, Abubakar Kasule, Shafiq Kagimu, David Owori (77′ Frank ‘Zaga’ Tumwesigye), Steven Mukwala, Hamisi Tibita (46′ Mujahid ‘Baden’ Ogama), Victor Matovu
Subs Not Used: Ali Mwerusi (G.K), Eric Kibowa (G.K), Pius Obuya, Allan Okello, Andrew Okiring
Suspended: Muhammed Shaban
Injured: Fred Okot
