Uganda Hippos Secure Semi-Final Spot with Victory Over Burundi in AFCON U-20 Qualifiers
The Uganda Hippos secured a spot in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies U-20 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA Qualifiers, defeating Burundi 3-0 in Dar es Salaam. The match featured an early own goal by Burundi and two additional goals from Uganda’s John Paul Dembe, with further developments leading to a total of three points for Uganda. The team looks forward to their final group match against South Sudan, having already qualified.
The Uganda Hippos triumphed over Burundi with a decisive 3-0 victory, securing their place in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies U-20 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA Qualifiers currently held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Under the guidance of Coach Matia Lule, the team showcased their dominance at the KMC Stadium during their second Group B match on Wednesday afternoon. The match commenced with an immediate advantage for Uganda when Burundi’s Samir Selemani Kaskile inadvertently scored an own goal just two minutes into the game. Despite Burundi’s efforts to regain composure and control the ball, Uganda’s defense proved resilient. John Paul Dembe added two more goals to the Ugandan tally before halftime, establishing a robust 3-0 lead. In the second half, Burundi endeavored to reclaim the game, but their efforts were thwarted when Ramazani Hakizimana conferred another own goal to Uganda seven minutes after the break. Nevertheless, Burundi managed to net a consolation goal through Christophe Ndayikengurukiye 15 minutes from time. Coach Lule expressed satisfaction with his players’ performance, noting their determination to score and their readiness to face upcoming matches. As the tournament progresses, Uganda stands at a critical juncture, having already qualified for the semi-finals and waiting to face South Sudan in their final group match. The results from other fixtures in the qualifiers were also noteworthy, including Tanzania’s remarkable 7-0 win against Djibouti, consolidating their position in the competition.
The TotalEnergies U-20 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA Qualifiers brings together several East African nations competing for a coveted spot in the prestigious U-20 tournament. This year’s event, hosted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, features teams vying for excellence and a chance to showcase emerging talent on an international stage. The tournament format includes group stages, followed by knockout rounds, and highlights the prowess and competitiveness of youth football in the region. Uganda, as the defending champions from 2022, entered the qualifiers with high expectations, and they have been demonstrating formidable performance so far, setting the stage for a promising future in youth football.
In conclusion, the Uganda Hippos’ commanding victory over Burundi not only cements their status as contenders in the AFCON U-20 qualifiers but also underscores their potential to defend their title successfully. The team remains focused and determined to excel in their remaining matches while maintaining a strong defensive and offensive strategy. The tournament continues to reveal the rising capabilities of youth football teams in the CECAFA region as they strive for success on this prominent platform.
Original Source: cecafaonline.com
