Uganda’s hope of qualifying for the 2023 U20 FIFA World Cup agonizingly came to an end on Thursday after falling to Nigeria.
In the AFCON U20 Quarterfinal game played at Suez Canal Stadium, Nigerian earned a hard fought 1-0 win.
The solitary goal of the game was an own goal by Uganda’s left back Ibrahim Juma.
Coach Jackson Mayanja made changes to the team that had faced South Sudan in the final group game.
Juma, Isma Mugulusi, Ivan Irinimbabazi and John Paul Dembe who were all rested on Sunday returned to the starting XI.
Uganda started the better side, troubling the Nigerians but could not find an early goal.
Dembe tested the Nigerian goalkeeper in the sixth minute but he was able to deal with the feeble effort from the former.
Two minutes later Rogers Mugisha who broke inside with blistering pace has his effort deflected for the first corner of the game.
The resultant corner nearly gave Uganda the lead with Irinimbabazi’s powerful header but goalkeeper Chijoike Aniagboso parrying the ball away.
It was Nigeria that broke the deadlock at the half hour mark through Juma’s own goal.
Ibrahim Muhammad’s ferocious strike on the left hit the goal post before deflecting off Juma’s sheen.
Uganda kept surging forward in an attempt to find the equalizer before the break but all in vain.
At the start of the second half, coach Mayanja made two changes bringing on Umar Lutalo and Saidi Mayanja for Titus Ssematimba and Mutyaba respectively.
Mayanja came close twice while Dembe too had an effort at goal but could not find the outlet.
Victory for Nigeria means they qualify for the World Cup alongside Senegal who earlier defeated Benin.
The other two slots will be completed on Friday with The Gambia taking on South Sudan while Congo will face Tunisia.
Uganda’s starting XI
Abdu Magada (GK), Apollo Kagogwe, Ibrahim Juma, Rogers Torach, Ronald Madoi, Ivan Irinimbabazi, Isma Mugulusi, Titus Ssematimba, John Paul Dembe, Travis Mutyaba, Rogers Mugisha
