Overview:
Rudman Yahya Mohamed Ishag, captain Waheed Shandi Somi Elbadri and Mazin Fadul Albahli Taowr scored for Sudanese youngsters. Skipper Richard Okello and Derrick Ssozi netted Uganda’s goals.
AFCON U-20 Championship (CECAFA Zone)
- Semi-final 1: Uganda 2-3 Sudan
Sudan qualified for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations for the first time.
This followed a spirited 3-2 victory over Uganda in the semifinal of the ongoing CECAFA U-20 championship at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, under sunny weather conditions.
Rudman Yahya Mohamed Ishag, captain Waheed Shandi Somi Elbadri and Mazin Fadul Albahli Taowr scored for Sudanese youngsters.
Skipper Richard Okello and Derrick Ssozi netted Uganda’s goals.
Uganda took the lead in the seventh minute through team Okello, who finished unmarked inside the goal area past the goalkeeper Mustafa Mohamed Elgadal Fahoud.
The lead was, however, short-lived as Ishag tapped in at the near post of goalkeeper Adrian Isabirye after a decent assist from Osman Ameen Abdalla Manzal.
Yashir Mimosa shot over the bar from 20 yards on the quarter-hour mark.
Winger Elvis Opakrwoth had a shot deflected for a corner kick towards the half-hour mark, and a few minutes later, he had a free-kick curled over.
Three minutes later, Sudan’s golden opportunity to take the lead was thwarted by goalkeeper Isabirye, who saved a one-against-one against Wail Galal Omer Alnour.
Uganda called for the first change of the game at the start of the second half when Steven Oyirwoth replaced Yashir Mimosa.
Sudan commenced the second half on a bright note, taking the lead two minutes after the restart through captain Waheed Shandi Somi Elbadri, who finished a solo run from his own half, played a wall pass with Ibrahim Samani Ibrahim Anglo for the simplest of finishes.
On the hour mark, Derrick Ssozi’s would-be equaliser for Uganda Hippos was cancelled for off-side.
Sudan made a change in the 63rd minute when Monzer Abdo Khmies Tiya replaced Ibrahim Samani Ibrahim Anglo.
Uganda brought the game level through Ssozi in the 65th minute, beating the goalkeeper at the near post off Hakim Wandera’s inviting low ball from the left flank.
With twenty minutes left on the clock, the officials called for a cooling break. Immediately after the restart from the break, Genesis Ocen Odiya got rested for Amoura Munogera as skipper Okello was replaced by Joseph Ssendyowa.
Munogera got involved in the thick of action immediately with a deft chip, well picked up by goalkeeper Mustafa Mohamed Elgadal Fahoud.
Sudan’s Monzer Abdo Khmies Tiya executed a free-kick that goalkeeper Isabirye punched away in the 78th minute.
Sudan then restored their lead through Mazin Fadul Albahli Taowr, thanks to a decent assist by the captain Elbadri.
Uganda had two unfortunate changes due to injuries. Munogera limped out for Simon Wanyama, and Wandera was stretchered off for Ashraf Kyakuwa.
Kyakuwa had a shot blocked as Uganda desperately threw numbers upfront.
The final whistle by Kenyan referee Dickens Mimisa Nyagrowa was met with wild celebrations by the Sudanese players and officials alike.
Sudan had qualified for the AFCON U-20 Championship for the first time.
The second semifinal between hosts Tanzania and Burundi will determine the second country to join Sudan at the AFCON U-20 finals come 2027.
Team Lineups:
Uganda XI: Adrian Isabirye (G.K), Yashir Mimosa, Hakim Wandera, Barasa Mangoli, Gilbert Ogenrwot, John Owino, Richard Okello (Captain), Isima Magala, Derrick Ssozi, Genesis Ocen Odiya, Elvis Opakrwoth
Subs: Igama Batali (G.K.), Hakim Kawuki, Steven Oyirwoth, Simon Wanyama, Amour Munogera, Joseph Ssendyowa, Meddy Mutamba, Ashraf Kyakuwa
Head coach: Laryea Kingston (Ghana)
Sudan XI: Mustafa Mohamed Elgadal Fahoud (G.K), Osama Ameen Abdalla Manzal, Humaida Ahmed Suliman Gumaa, Samaan Amin Alfeil Koda, Rudwan Yahya Mohamed Ishag, Obai Abdalla, Nagmeldin Abdelrahim Teya Toto, Waheed Shandi Somi Elbadri (Captain), Mazin Fadul Albahli Taowr, Wail Galal Omer Alnour, Ibrahim Samani Ibrahim Anglo
Subs: Mohamed Abbas Mohamed Abdalla (G.K), Faiz Ahmed Elseed Elfatih, Monzer Abdo Khmies Tiya, Monzer Sarer, Mutaz Elfaki Elnour Wali, Omer Hamid Ghanim Ahmed, Osman Abaker Ismail Alshaikh, Mohamed Elmoutaba Musab Elbadawee Mohamed Elameen, Mohamed Dalmugtaba Yahoub Mahmoud Habeeb
Head coach: Salaheldin Ahmed Nuoredlin Ahmed (Sudan)
Match officials:
- Referee: Dickens Mimisa Nyagrowa (Kenya)
- Assistant Referee 1: Elizabeth Njoroge (Kenya)
- Assistant Referee 2: Racid Waiss Bouraleh (Djibouti)
- Fourth official: Mahamoud Nasser Houssein Mahamoud (Djibouti)
- Commissioner: Amir Hassan (Somalia)
- General Coordinator: Baraka Kizuguto (Tanzania)
