2017 COSAFA U-20 Tournament:
Thursday, 14th December 2017
Semi-finals:
- South Africa Vs Egypt – Nkana Stadium (3 p.m)
- Uganda Vs Lesotho – Nkana Stadium (5 p.m)
The two guest countries at the 2017 COSAFA U-20 championship, Uganda and Egypt both reached the semi-finals of the tournament.
Uganda sailed through as the best team from group A with 5 points, as Malawi played second fiddle (with same points but lower goal difference).
On the other hand, Egypt was second in group B (with 6 points) behind the group winners South Africa who finished with 9 points.
On Thursday evening, Uganda Hippos will face Lesotho in the second semi-final show down.
For starters, Lesotho qualified top from group C with 5 points, with a better head to head record against Zimbabwe who also finished with 5 points.
Team News:
Uganda Hippos last played their final group stage match on Monday, drawing one all with Malawi to qualify.
Since then, the team has rested and returns to competitive football on Thursday.
Returning and missing players:
Team captain and tournament top scorer (with 3 goals) Muhammed ‘Jaggarson’ Shaban returns after serving a one match ban.
Shaban had been red carded in the team’s one all draw with Malawi, a game where Uganda rallied from a goal down to score through Vipers’ Steven Mukwala.
Head coach Mathias ‘Salongo’ Lule tags Shaban’s return as timely.
“The return of Muhammed Shaban is very timely. He gives the team shape and offers the due leadership. His return will boost the team against Lesotho” Lule said of Shaban.
Uganda’s team will however miss the services of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) left back Mustapha Kizza and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) right back Fred Okot for suspension and injury respectively.
Kizza accumulated two cautions and he is ruled out of the semi-final match.
Okot has not recovered since suffering an ankle injury against Swaziland.
Another player Andrew Isiagi Okiring, who is based in the United States of America (USA) will require a late fitness test after suffering a bout of malaria.
Likely replacements:
At right back, Julius Poloto will carry on the mantle like he did against Malawi.
Qatar based left back, a player with Aspire Football Academy Victor Matovu is tipped to start at left back.
Matovu also marked his first start of the tournament against Malawi at the Arthur Davies Stadium.
The rest of the players could remain unchanged like in the previous line ups where Proline goalkeeper Saidi Keni will still command the starting slot ahead of Ali Mwerusi and Eric Kibowa.
Mustapha Mujjuzi and Geofrey Wasswa will still start as the two center backs.
Express Football Club holding midfielder Abubakar Kasule will start as the anchorman.
With Julius Poloto at right back, the technical personnel will think of quick answers for the right flank attack role.
There are options with Frank ‘Zagga’ Tumwesigye, David Owori, Hamisi Tabita, Shafiq Kagimu, Allan Okello and Pius ‘TZ Iniesta’ Obuya all at the team’s disposal in a compacted midfield.
Shaban and Steven Mukwala will start as the two lead forwards in the quest for the much needed goals.
Lule believes they will work for the desired result with the urge to qualify for the final and lift the trophy.
“We are set to play our hearts out and qualify for the final with the prime goal of lifting the trophy. The morale is high and team spirit elevated as we face Lesotho” Lule said.
Probable Line up:
Uganda Hippos XI:
Saidi Keni (G.K), Julius Poloto,Victor Matovu , Geofrey Wasswa, Mustapha Mujjuzi, Abubakar Kasule, David Owori, Shafiq Kagimu, Steven Mukwala, Muhammed Shaban (Captain), Allan Okello
Subs:
Ali Mwerusi (G.K), Eric Kibowa (G.K), Mujahid Ogama, Pius Obuya, Andrew Okiring, Hamisi Tibita, Frank ‘Zaga’ Tumwesigye
Suspended: Mustapha Kizza
Injured: Fred Okot
Tournament Statistics:
- Matches Played: 18
- Goals scored: 31
- Biggest victory: Zambia 0 Uganda 2 (Group A, December 6); South Africa 2 Mauritius 0 (Group B, December 7); Egypt 2 Mauritius 0 (Group B, December 9); Zambia 2 Swaziland 0 (Group A, December 11); Mauritius 0 Mozambique 2 (Group B, December 11)
- Most goals in a game: 5 – Swaziland 2 Malawi 3 (Group A, December 6)
Goal Scorers:
- 3 goals – Muhammad Shaban (Uganda)
- 2 – Abdelrahman Amr (Egypt), Lyle Foster (South Africa), Order Mamba (Swaziland), Luvuyo Mkatshana (South Africa), Francisco Mwepu (Zambia), Patrick Phiri (Malawi), Raboama Koloti (Lesotho), Muzi Tsabedze (Swaziland)
- 1 – Hussein Abdelkader (Egypt), Peter Banda (Malawi), Kamo-Kamo Cumbane (Mozambique), Romario Hawiseb (Namibia), Domingos Junior (Mozambique), Mohamed Karem (Egypt), Francisco Madinga (Malawi), Stephen Mukwala (Uganda), Enzo Mungendje (Namibia), King Nasama (Zimbabwe), Nkosingiphile Ngcobo (South Africa), Allan Okello (Uganda)
