South Sudan, Uganda qualify for U-20 AFCON

_{South Sudan and Uganda Hippos have qualified for the U-20 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023.}

_{The two teams came out victorious with South Sudan ejecting Ethiopia and Uganda seeing off Sudan in the semi final stage on Tuesday in the Zonal qualifiers on-going in Khartoum, Sudan.}

_{South Sudan edged Ethiopia 4-2 in penalties after the two teams drew 2-2 after 120 minutes at the Al Hilal Stadium.}

_{Ethiopia took an early lead from the spot after 8 minutes when Yosef Mekonen converted. But South Sudan also leveled from the spot after 17 minutes through skipper Joseph Jele.}

_{The two teams pushed forward after recess but failed to find the goals. Zelalem Kussa restored Ethiopia’s lead after 117 minutes, but Felix Abishal made it 2-2 after 112 minutes. During penalties South Sudan converted four penalties and missed one, while Ethiopia converted two and missed two.}

_{Charles John Gwit Uok, the South Sudan coach thanked his players for a job well done. “Beating Ethiopia has not been an easy task. But I thank my players for the hard work,” added the coach.}

_{The second match saw Uganda defeat 10-man Sudan team 2-0 in a match played at the Kober Stadium.}

_{Defender Rogers Torach Ochaki and skipper Isma Mugulusi netted two second half goals for the Uganda Hippos. Sudan’s Elborae Elhag was sent off after 76 minutes for a bad foul.}

_{Jackson Mayanja, the Uganda Hippos coach said he was proud of his players for winning and qualifying for AFCON. “We had players who missed this match because of COVID-19 issues, but still we worked hard to win,” said Mayanja.}

_{South Sudan will now face Uganda in the final, while Sudan face Ethiopia in the pla-off all on Friday at the Al Hilal Stadium.}