Uganda and South Sudan qualify for U-20 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations
South Sudan and the Uganda Hippos have earned spots in the U-20 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023.
Uganda and South Sudan qualify for U-20 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations
South Sudan and the Uganda Hippos have earned spots in the U-20 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023.
Today at the Kober Stadium, one of the semifinal matches of the CECAFA Zone qualifying competition saw Coach Jackson Mayanja’s Hippos defeat the home team Sudan 2-0.
In the second semi-final on Tuesday, South Sudan also overcame a deficit to defeat Ethiopia 4-2 on penalties following a 2-2 deadlock after 120 minutes.
After a scoreless first half, Uganda took the lead after 54 minutes when defender Rogers Torach Ochaki converted a free kick.
The hosts made an effort to respond, but they were unable to overcome the well-prepared Ugandan defenders. Isma Mugulusi, the captain of the Uganda Hippos, who plays for Makedonnikos in Greece, made it 2-0 for Uganda after 71 minutes when he lobbed the ball past Ibrahim Mohammed, the advancing goalkeeper for Sudan.
Elborae Elhag of Sudan was dismissed after 76 minutes for rough play. “I am overjoyed that we have earned a spot in AFCON. After the game, Uganda’s coach Mayanja remarked, “We had some players miss the match because they tested positive for COVID-19, but I thank God because we are through to AFCON and for a final on Friday.
After 8 minutes of the second semi-final game, Yosef Mekonen’s penalty kick gave Ethiopia an early lead. However, South Sudan was awarded a penalty after 17 minutes, and Joseph Jele converted it perfectly.
The two teams made a valiant effort to score more goals after the break, but they were unable because the referee added 30 extra minutes after the allocated 90. After 1017 minutes, Peter Chut gave Ethiopia the advantage again, but after 112 minutes, Felix Abishal tied it 2-2. South Sudan prevailed 4-2 in the penalty shootout.
South Sudan, which also had a U-17 team qualify for the AFCON during the qualifiers in Ethiopia last month, wrote history with that achievement.
The head coach for South Sudan, Charles John Gwit Uok, commended his team for a job well done. The coach added, “I appreciate my guys for fighting and earning a spot in AFCON.
South Sudan and the Uganda Hippos will compete in the championship game on Friday.
