AFCON U-20 Qualifiers (CECAFA Zone)
Semi-finals:
- Uganda 3-1 Kenya
- Tanzania 1-0 South Sudan
The Uganda U-20 football team made history by qualifying for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U-20 finals that will be hosted by West Africans Mauritania.
To achieve this land-mark feat, Uganda overcame traditional rivals Kenya 3-1 at the Black Rhino Academy Sports Stadium in Karatu, Tanzania on Monday.
Christened as the Hippopotamus, a large water friendly herbivorous and semiaquatic mammal, Uganda grunted right from the first whistle of the referee.
Kenya’s approach, as expected was a rather physical and direct mode, resisting the opening 20 minutes before the dead-lock was broken by team Uganda.
A rather unfamiliar name on the score sheet, Kenneth Ssemakula, a defender plying his trade at Busoga United in the Uganda Premier League was on the mark in the 21st minute.
Ssemakula was found totally unmarked to tap home a teasing corner kick off Najib Yiga in the goal area.
Four minutes later, Uganda was celebrating again. Striker Ivan Bogere raced onto Isma Mugulusi’s defence splitter and calmly finished into the back of the net.
This was Bogere’s three goal of the tournament following an earlier brace in the 6-1 humiliation against Burundi during a group B clash.
By the half time mark, the writing was on the wall that Uganda needed a solid defence to seal the continental slot.
Bogere scored his second goal on the day, the fourth of the championship following a well struck kick from the penalty mark.
The penalty arose following a foul in the forbidden area on Mugulusi by the goalkeeper,Maxwell McChelsea.
Bogere confidently drove the ball to Maxwell’s opposite side, placing it his left for the third goal, his fourth in the tourney that winds down on Wednesday, 2nd December 2020.
By this time, it was now done and dusted, Uganda had set their eyes on the continental berth.
Kenya pulled back a goal with 10 minutes to play with dangerman Enock Wanyama beating goalkeeper Jack Komakech from close range.
Wanyama who features at South B All Stars Football Club slotted the ball past Komakech through a forest of bodies inside the goal area.
The second game on the day witnessed hosts and defending champions Tanzania grit their teeth to overcome South Sudan 1-0 at the same Black Rhino Academy facility in Karatu.
Harunah Kassim scored the match winner in the 56th minute of the well contested game.
Tanzania now joined Uganda as the two CECAFA representatives at the 2021 AFCON U-21 finals.
The third place play-off match and final will be played on Wednesday, 2nd December 2020 at the same venue.
Wounded sides Kenya and South Sudan lock horns in the early kick off at noon before the finale between Uganda and Tanzania at 3 PM.
Uganda U-20 XI Vs Kenya: Jack Komakech (G.K), Gavin Kizito Mugweri (Captain), Aziz Kayondo, Musa Ramathan, Kenneth Semakula, Isma Mugulusi, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Richard Basangwa, Najib Yiga, Ivan Bogere, Steven Sserwadda
Subs: Denis Ssenyondwa Kaala (G.K), Richard Bbosa, Ashiraf Mulindi, Faisal Wabyoona, Joseph Kafumbe, Joseph Kizza Bukenya, Raymond Onyai, Alpha Thierry Ssali, Ivan Asaba
