Uganda defeat South Sudan to retain CECAFA U-20 title

_{The Uganda Hippos have retained the CECAFA U-20 men’s title.}

_{Coach Jackson Mayanja’s team came from a goal down to stop South Sudan 2-1 in the final of the regional tournament played on Friday night at the Al Hilal Stadium in Khartoum, Sudan.}

_{Going into the final the two teams had already booked slots for the U-20 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 which will take place in Egypt.}

_{The South Sudan team cheered on by over 1000 fans started on a high with several attacks before they took the lead after 15 minutes. Felix Agumemboki Abishai tapped in from close range giving Uganda’s goalkeeper Abdu Magada no chance.}

_{But the Hippos stepped up their game after conceding and piled pressure on the South Sudan defending line. Issa Bugembe leveled matters after 23 minutes with a low drive.}

_{Uganda continued to push forward, but the South Sudan team was up to the task defending in numbers and trying to push forward on the break.}

_{After recess midfielder Titus Ssematimba put Uganda ahead after 61 minutes with a rebound after the South Sudan defenders failed to clear their lines. At the stroke of full South Sudan’s goalscorer Abishai had a clear chance at goal, but shot straight to the Uganda Hippos goalkeeper.}

_{“I am happy to lead the team to U-20 AFCON and also to retain the title. It has been really hard work in the few weeks I have been with this team,” said a happy Uganda Hippos coach Mayanja after the match.}

_{Charles John Gwit Uok, the South Sudan coach said his players had given their best against a good Ugandan team. “We played well and got punished for some few mistakes,” added the coach.}

_{In an earlier match hosts Sudan beat Ethiopia 2-1 to finish third. During the Awards, South Sudan’s goalkeeper Godwin Sabio was voted Player of the tournament, while Burundi’s Arthir Nibakora was top scorer with three goals.}

_{Uganda’s Abdu Magada was voted best goalkeeper, while his team also bagged the Fair Play Award.}

_{The U-20 AFCON qualifiers for the CECAFA region attracted seven teams; Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Sudan, Burundi, Djibouti and Tanzania.}