- CAF U20 Qualifiers | First Leg
- Uganda Hippos 5-1 South Sudan
It is advantage Uganda ahead of the return leg for the 2018 AFCON U20 Qualifiers with South Sudan.
Uganda Hippos humbled their counterparts from South Sudan 5-1 at the StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo in Kampala on Saturday.
Mustapha Kizza (penalty), Steven Mukwala, Sadam Masereka, Hamis Tibita and a classic Allan Okello goal crowned the day for Mathias Lule’s coached side.
Playing with only eleven players and no substitutes (due to overage players), the South Sudanese posed the early threat.
After 10 minutes, Jonson Yang shot from 20 yards but it was a routine collection from goalkeeper Keni Saidi.
On a quarter an hour of action, the Hippos’ right back Paul Willa delivered a diagonal ball for Joshua Okiror who started on the far left before the silky playmaker was brought down.
Mustapha Kizza had two free-kicks fly wide across of the goal.
On 17 minutes, South Sudan’s lead forward Peter Okech was denied by Keni in a one against one incident.
By this time, South Sudan who applied a high line strategy remained solid as goalie Ding was a sweeper on one several occasions.
23 minutes into the game, Kizza’s long ball found skipper Julius Poloto who released Mukwala into space before he was brought down by defender All Henery.
Referee Adel Adam Mukhtar pointed to the spot before Kizza sent Ding the wrong way for the breakthrough strike.
Six minutes later, the game was level. Defender Musitafa Mujjuzi diverted a long ball from goalkeeper Ramadan Ding past Uganda’s Keni into the net for the equalizer.
By the half time break, both sides tied at one goal apiece.
Two minutes into the second stanza of the game, Uganda called for the first change.
Proline’s Joshua Okiror paved way for Buddo S.S’ stylish midfielder cum forward Sadam Masereka.
Steven Mukwala got Uganda’s second after a delightful through ball by Allan Okello on 66 minutes.
Three minutes later, substitute Masereka rounded off the advancing goalkeeper Ding following a quick exchange of passes between Poloto, Frank ‘Zaga’ Tumwesigye and Okello.
BUL forward scored the fourth with his virtually his first touch of the ball moments after replacing Mukwala in the 85th minute.
Tibita would have easily scored his second but missed a one against one incident with goalkeeper Ding.
Okello wrapped up the scoring business with a beauty on 90 minutes. The KCCA youngster received the ball on the far right flank, cut inside two players before he dispatched a stunning long range that kissed the up-right and bounced over the line for the icing on the cake.
Moments later, Okello’s place was taken over by St Mary’s stylish midfielder Faizal Ssekyanzi.
The return leg will be played on 22nd April 2018 in Juba.
Team Line ups:
Uganda XI: Saidi Keni (G.K), Paul Willa, Mustafa Kizza, Geofrey Wasswa, Musitafa Mujjuzi, Abubaker Kasule, Julius Poloto (Captain), Allan Okello (90’ Faizal Ssekyanzi), Steven Mukwala (85’ Hamis Tibita), Frank Tumwesigye, Joshua Okiror (47’ Sadam Masereka)
Subs Not Used: Denis Otim (G.K), Bashir Asiku, Fred Okot, Solomon Ovoyo
Head coach: Mathias Lule
South Sudan XI: Ramadan Ding (G.K), Ally Henery, Kuwer Omot, Kuwer Tutu, Rafael Elhag, Dominic Aroma, Samuel Andrea, Jonson Yang, Peter Okech, Dani Thon, Chol Magol
Subs Not Used: Simon Alberto (G.K), Elia Gale, Juma Yusuf, James Lam, Ebin Rakhisa Awe, Toni Tombe, Daniel Peter
Head coach: Ait Abdelmalek (Algeria)
Match Officials:
- Center Referee: Adel Adam Mukhtar (Sudan)
- Assistant Referee 1: Ahmed Elnour Haitham (Sudan)
- Assistant Referee 2: Ahmed Mohamed Omer Hamid (Sudan)
- Fourth Official: Mutaz Abdelbasit Khairalla (Sudan)
- Match Commissioner: Gaspard Kayijuka (Rwanda)
- Media Officer: Farid Mpagi (Uganda)