Uganda Hippos defeat Burundi to storm semis in AFCON U-20 qualifiers

Uganda Hippos are the first team to qualify for the semi-final stage at the on-going TotalEnergies U-20 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA Qualifiers.

Coach Matia Lule’s team defeated Burundi 4-1 in their second Group B match played at the KMC Stadium on Wednesday afternoon in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.

The 2022 took the lead after only two minutes when Allan Oyirwoth’s header was tapped by Burundi’s defender Samir Selemani Kaskile for an own goal.

Burundi tried to settle in and hold the ball, but the Ugandan Hippos defenders stood firm. John Paul Dembe later netted a brace before the break to give Uganda a comfortable 3-0 lead.

After the interval the Burundi team came all out to take command of the game. Gnabry Brunel Habonimana’s strike after 50 minutes was saved by Uganda’s goalkeeper Abdu Magada.

But the Burundi team conceded another own goal through Ramazani Hakizimana after 58 minutes. The Burundi team did not give up as Christophe Ndayikengurukiye pulled a goal back for Burundi with a well-timed tap-in.

The Ugandan coach Lule said his players responded well and were hungry to score as many goals. “We are happy about getting a second win and will continue working hard because we have more matches to go,” added Lule

The second Group B match between South Sudan and Ethiopia will take place later at the Azam Complex. Uganda who have already qualified will now wait to face South Sudan in their last Group match.

Collected results

Tanzania 1 Kenya 2

Sudan 3 Djibouti 1

South Sudan 0 Burundi 1

Uganda 3 Ethiopia 0

Tanzania 7 Djibouti 0

Sudan 1 Rwanda 0

Uganda 4 Burundi 1