The Uganda Hippos triumphed over Burundi 3-0, ensuring their passage to the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies U-20 AFCON CECAFA Qualifiers in Tanzania. Allan Oyirwoth’s early own goal set the pace, followed by two goals from John Paul Dembe. Despite a goal from Burundi’s Christophe Ndayikengurukiye, Uganda remained dominant. Concurrently, Tanzania routed Djibouti 7-0, and Sudan secured a narrow 1-0 win against Rwanda, highlighting the competitive nature of the qualifiers.
In a resounding performance, the Uganda Hippos have secured their place in the semi-final of the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA Qualifiers by defeating Burundi 3-0 in their second group match held at KMC Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Coach Matia Lule’s squad, which previously won against Ethiopia, demonstrated dominance early in the match when a header from Allan Oyirwoth was inadvertently deflected into the net by Burundi’s Samir Selemani Kaskile, resulting in an own goal just two minutes in. Uganda maintained control and added to their lead with two goals from John Paul Dembe before the halftime break. Following a determined effort from Burundi after halftime, wherein they attempted to assert themselves offensively, Uganda’s defense remained steadfast. The match further devolved for Burundi when an own goal from Ramazani Hakizimana extended Uganda’s lead. Although Burundi’s Christophe Ndayikengurukiye managed to net a consolation goal, the match concluded with Uganda firmly in control. Coach Lule expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, highlighting their eagerness to score. This victory places the Uganda Hippos at the forefront of Group B, providing them the opportunity to focus on their upcoming match against South Sudan, which will finalize their group stage run. In other matches, hosts Tanzania demonstrated their prowess by overwhelming Djibouti with a 7-0 scoreline. Valentino Mashaka’s hat-trick and goals from Sabri Kondo, Jammy Jammy, and Nickson Mosha highlighted an impressive team performance. Sudan also continued their successful start in the tournament, edging Rwanda 1-0 and maintaining their winning streak. As the qualifiers progress, the stakes continue to rise, with the top two teams from the competition aiming for a place in the forthcoming AFCON tournament.
The ongoing TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA Qualifiers are a significant tournament for African youth football, gathering nine competing teams from the CECAFA region. This tournament acts as a qualifying event for the U-20 AFCON competition scheduled for the following year. The competition involves fervent matches where teams strive for supremacy to secure their eligibility to represent their region on a larger continental stage. The Uganda Hippos’ historic performance adds to their prominence given their status as the defending champions from the last iteration of the tournament.
In conclusion, the Uganda Hippos have showcased their formidable footballing capabilities in the CECAFA U-20 Qualifiers. Their exceptional 3-0 victory over Burundi not only highlights their strength but also secures their spot in the semi-finals of the tournament. With upcoming matches, Uganda’s continued performance will be crucial for their ambitions to reclaim the U-20 AFCON title. Meanwhile, teams like Tanzania and Sudan are also making significant strides in the qualifiers, positioning themselves strongly within their respective groups.
Original Source: cecafaonline.com
