Uganda Hippos suffer 2-0 defeat to Ghana in U-20 Afcon final

Uganda Hippos have finished second at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) after falling 2-0 to Ghana in the final played on Saturday.

The Black Satellites team captain Daniel Afriyie Barnieh netted in each half at the Olympic Stadium in Nouakchott, Mauritania.

Coach Morley Byekwaso’s Hippos who were making their first appearance at the U-20 Afcon had a good first half chance that Derrick Kakooza failed to shot on target.

The Black Satellites have won the tournament for the first time since 2013. Ghana now join Egypt on four trophies, three behind Nigeria who are the most successful country.

“Congratulations to Ghana. They were the better team on the night. Ours is work in progress and we walk away from our first ever competition with our heads high,” said Eng. Moses Magogo, President of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA).

In the Group stage Uganda Hippos beat Mozambique 2-0 before losing 1-0 to Cameroon. They battled to win the last Group game 2-1 against hosts Mauritania before seeing off Burkina Faso 5-3 on penalties at the quarter final stage. The Hippos walloped Tunisia 4-1 at the semi-final stage.

Tanzania’s U-20 team who also qualified to represent the Council of East and central African Football Associations (Cecafa) zone failed to make it out of the group stage in the tournament that featured 12 teams.