NEWS
U-20 AFCON: Uganda defeat Mozambique in opening match
Two second half goals were enough to see Uganda defeat Mozambique 2-0 in their opening match at the on-going Total U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Mauritania.
A penalty converted by Derrick Kakooza after 57 minutes and an 86th minute goal by substitute Steven Sserwadda were enough to give Uganda Hippos the win in a Group A match played at the Olympic Stadium on Monday.
From the start of the game the CECAFA U-20 champions dominated play in Nouakchott, forcing their fellow debutants to defend deep.
Mozambique’s real good effort came just before half-time when Pablo Beque cross landed at the back post before Uganda cleared the danger.
The victory sends Uganda to the summit of the Group A level on points with Cameroon, who beat Mauritania 1-0 on Sunday but with a better goal difference.
Uganda’s coach Morley Byekwaso said he was happy to start with a win in this tournament. “We were a bit nervous and we ended up taking poor decisions at times. We came back into the second half and told the players to play with intensity and that was what was key for us and helped us to come back into the game and win,” said Byekwaso.
On Tuesday CECAFA’s other representatives Tanzania will face Ghana in their Group C match at the Municipal Stadium in Nouadhibou.
Group A: Cameroon, Mauritania, Mozambique, Uganda
Group B: Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Namibia, Tunisia
Group C: Gambia, Ghana, Morocco, Tanzania