Ethiopia edge Uganda Hippos to lead group

_{Ethiopia edged Uganda Hippos 1-0 in the last Group B match played on Saturday at the on-going U-20 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers for the CECAFA Zone in Khartoum, Sudan.}

_{The win saw Ethiopia top Group B with 4 points, while Uganda who stopped Tanzania 2-0 in their opening match finished second with 3 points.}

_{Ethiopia started the match with a lot of purpose and good tactical play forcing the Ugandan goalkeeper Abdu Magada to make three saves in the first 10 minutes.}

_{The Ugandan team tried to reorganize themselves, but failed to penetrate the well organized Ethiopian defending line. After recess Kedir Mohammed gave Ethiopia the lead after 60 minutes when his lob beat Uganda’s goalkeeper Magada. The reigning champions Uganda Hippos tried to push forward to try and level matters, but failed to find a break through.}

_{Jackson Mayanja, the Uganda Hippos coach said they had lost to a good Ethiopian team. “We shall go back and plan well for the semi final because facing a host a never easy,” added Mayanja.}

_{The Ethiopian coach Edilu Dereje Neriga said he was happy his players played to the instructions. “We played a good passing game and also pressed our opponents well,” added the coach.}

_{Ethiopia will now face South Sudan, while Sudan battle Uganda in the semi final matches on Tuesday at the Kober Stadium.}

_{The finalists will automatically qualify for the U-20 AFCON to be played in Egypt.}