Uganda U20 Men’s National Football Team confirmed their spot in the semifinals of the ongoing African Games in Accra, Ghana after edging Senegal on Monday.
In the game played at Accra Sports Stadium, Uganda Hippos nicked a hard fought 1-0 win to make it two wins in as many games.
Uganda had earlier defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the opening game and complimented it with another victory today.
Allan Oyirwoth scored the lone goal of the game, converting from the spot in the first half.
The goal came in the 27th minute when Arafat Usama was shoved to the ground inside the box and Oyirwoth took the resultant penalty.
His initial effort was saved but the lanky midfielder got the second bite on the cherry and was able to score from the rebound.
Coach Morely Byekwaso made one change from the team that had started against Nigeria with Shamulan Kamya replacing Abdu Magada in goal. The latter sustained a knee injury from the previous game.
Senegal started the better side and enjoyed majority of the possesion but failed to find access into Uganda’s penalty area.
The first realistic effort of the game fell to left back Ibrahim Juma in the 9th minute but his ferocious strike went wide.
The breakthrough moment for Uganda came in the 26th minute when Usama attempted to control the ball in the box but he was shoved in the back by defender Pape Mamadou Diouf and the Togolese referee Aklesso Gnama did not hesitate to point to the spot.
Oyirwoth made a long and slow movement towards the ball but goalkeeper Prince Harry Gueye saw his movement and dived to the right side to save only to spill the ball into the path of Oyirwoth who scored from the rebound.
A minute later, Uganda nearly doubled the lead but Abasi Kyeyune’s low drive at the near post was saved.
In the 44th minute, Uganda was forced into making a change with right back Haruna Lukwago going off after feeling unwell and replaced by Apollo Kagogwe.
Two minutes into the added minutes of the first half, goalkeeper Kamya pulled off a wonderful save to deny Senegal’s Famara Camara.
Kamya went into the air and tipped the ball from a free kick to the crossbar before Juma cleared the ball out of danger.
In the second half, Senegal asked several questions to Uganda’s defence but the Hippos defended resiliently to hold onto the lead.
Hakim Mutebi replaced Patrick Jonah Kakande in the other change for Uganda on the day.
With a game to spare, Uganda sails to the semifinals. Nigeria beat South Sudan 1-0 in the other Group B match played at the same venue.
Uganda will conclude Group business against South Sudan at the University of Ghana Stadium on Friday this week.
Uganda’s Starting XI
Shamulan Kamya (G.K), Rogers Torach Ochaki (Captain), Ronald Madoi, Abasi Kyeyune, Ivan Irinimbabazi, Bruno Bunyaga, Arafat Usama Kizza, Patrick Kakande, Juma Ibrahim, Harunah Lukwago, Allan Oyirwoth
Substitutes
Humphrey Oyirwoth, Apollo Kagogwe, Cyrus Kibande, Enock Luyima, Hakim Mutebi, Alpha Thiery Ssali, Shafiq Magogo, Innocent Kisolo,
Senegal’s Starting XI
Prince Hally Gueye (G.K), Ba Daouda, Abdou Aziz Ndiaye, Fallou Diouf Serigne (Captain), Pape Mamadou Diouf, Famara Camara, Mamadou Lamine Sadio, Pierre Antoine Diatta Dorival, Youssoupha Sayang, Mame Alassane Niang, Ousseynou Diahate
Substitutes
Yaya Dieme, Mamadou Sarr, Cheich Tidiane Thiam, Idrissa Gueye, Lamine Mbengue, Moustapha Gueye, Mourtalla Fall, Ibrahima Diallo, Papa Magueye Gaye
