World Cup dreams shattered as Nigeria ejects Uganda Hippos out of the AFCON U20 tournament
March 2, 2023
The Uganda Hippos have seen their dreams of playing at the U20 World Cup in Indonesia between May-June come to a shattering end.
This is after they fell 1-0 to record cup winners, Nigeria.
Coach Jackson Mayanja and the lads came into this game with their confidence high and their fists pumping up in the air.
The team knew that there was no any other way to the semifinals but through a win against the West Africans.
The Hippos posed a goal threat against the Nigerians as early as the 9th minute.
However Ivan Irinimbabazi‘s header was punched out of the goal area by the Nigerian goalkeeper Aniagboso.
Ronald Madoi picked up a yellow card in the 12th minute after a foul on one of the Nigerian players.
Nigeria found the back of the net of Uganda’s goal after a quick counterattack.
This was through an own goal as the ball rebounded off the post and got directed into the net by CD Leganes left back Ibrahim Juma.
The first half ended with the Nigerians ahead.
Coach Jackson Mayanja made a double substitution at the start of the second half.
Umar Lutalo and Saidi Mayanja came on for Travis Mutyaba and Titus Ssematimba.
The Hippos kept on pressing for a n equalizer but all in vain.
Eventually the game ended in defeat meaning the Hippos are out of the AFCON U20 tournament.
So far Nigeria and Senegal have now confirmed their places in the semifinals and thus qualification to the World Cup.
Senegal defeated Benin by a goal to nil too in the first game.