Uganda U-20 national football team (Hippos) made it to the semi-finals during the ongoing 2026 CECAFA U-20 championship with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Sudan at the Uhuru Stadium, Dar es Salaam, on Saturday.
Second-half substitute Amour Munogera scored the all-important goal on 72 minutes to break down the resilience of the opponents.
Munogera, a replacement for Genesis Ocen Odiya in the 67th minute, needed just five minutes to make his impact on the game, beating goalkeeper Mustafa Mohamed Elgadal Fahoud from close range after a well-chipped ball from playmaker Isma Mulala Magala.
The Vipers Sports Club player has since lauded the efforts of the entire team for the brave performance.
“First of all, I am glad to have scored our goal, and I thank the Almighty God,” Munogera acknowledged.
“We faced a tough opponent in Sudan. We knew what threat they would pose and planned accordingly with the technical team. They sat back defensively and employed the low back strategy. We had to seek means of how to break it, and it took the effort of the entire team,” Munogera attested.
Uganda finished top of Group B with six points following their 4-1 victory over Djibouti in the opener.
The Hippos now face Sudan again in the semi-finals as the two countries not only battle for a slot in the final, but also a continental berth for AFCON U-20 in Ghana.
Sudan was the best second-placed country among the three groups.
Hosts Tanzania (who topped Group A) will now square up against Burundi.
Tanzania walloped Ethiopia 4-0 during the floodlit game.
Burundi led Group C with the maximum points.
All the matches for the CECAFA U-20 have been played at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
