Uganda Hippos started the Afcon U-20 championship in decent form overcoming Central African Republic with a 2-1 win in Ismailia.
Ismail Mugulusi and John Paul Ddembe scored the second half goals in which the lads dominated but how did each rate on the day.
Abdu Magada – 6: Rarely tested throughout the game but miscommunication in the closing stages denied him a clean sheet.
Haruna Lukwago – 6: Beaten on a few times on the right but defended resiliently and also went forward a couple of times.
Ibrahim Juma – 7: Calm and confident as ever on the ball both defensively and offensively.
Apollo Kagogwe – 7: Shockingly started ahead of teammate Madoi and rarely put a foot wrong. Denied a fantastic goal by the assistant flag and set up Ddembe for the second goal.
Rogers Torach – 6: Read the game well and quick decision making. A man mountain in the air.
Ivan Irinimbabazi – 9: Nearly flawless in the middle of the pack as he dictated proceedings from deep.
Ismail Mugulusi – 7: Scored with brilliant improvisation and on a few occasions, showed his individual brilliance but in and out of the game for most parts.
Titus Ssematimba – 7: Set up the opener with a good header but denied by the cross bar after a brilliant first touch and shot inside the area. He was ball retention and passing frustrated the opponents.
John Paul Ddembe -7: Held up play well and scored a brilliant centre forward’s goal.
Travis Mutyaba – 5: Didn’t live up to the hype and potential as he lost the ball easily and didn’t look interested all time. Replaced in the second half.
Rogers Mugisha – 8: A livewire on either wing although his last touch let him down on a few occasions. Voted officially as Man of the match by Caf.
Substitutes
Patrick Kakande – 5: Failed to make an improvement on Mutyaba’s.
Emmanuel Mukisa – N/a: Played only the last three minutes but won a free kick in the closing stages that nearly got the team a third goal.
Umar Lutalo -5: Nearly grabbed Uganda’s third with an expertly taken free kick.
