Uganda U20 National Team the Hippos has lost to Tanzania in a Mini Tournament match by 5-3 at the Chamazi Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Saturday evening.
It was a more attacking game from both sides as eight goals were registered on the day.
The Tanzanians got early goals from a penalty spot in the 13th minute scored by Abdul Suleiman and doubled their lead three minutes later from Captain Kelvin John.
The Hippos quickly answered back with well taken strikes outside the box from Derrick Kakooza in the 19th minute. Ivan Bogere levelled matters for Hippos in the 25th minute. 4 goals were scored in a space of 12 minutes a true reflection of a fast paced attacking game.
On return from the break for second half action, Abdul Suleiman got another goal for the hosts to reclaim the lead but substitute Sam Ssenyonjo squared the scores in the 73rd minute with a powerful header.
With 15 minutes to time, Kassim Shaban netted the fourth for Tanzania and Abdul Suleiman completed his hattrick with a spot kick in the 90th minute.
Uganda Hippos players Ivan Bogere, Sam Senyonjo and Derrick Kakooza got golden chances that would have changed the final score but could not find the target.
‘As I had said before, we are not looking at the results from these practice matches. We majorly test our players in match situations, find our weaknesses and solve them before the final tournament‘ said Uganda Hippos Head Coach Morley Byekwaso
‘It has been a good game and we have learnt a lot from our opponents Tanzania. It was so hard to beat them the third time in two months‘ added Byekwaso.
Tactical Changes
Sam Senyonjo came in for Derrick Kakooza, Joseph Bukenya for Steven Serwadda, Ivan Eyam for Najib Yiga, Fisal Wabyoona for Bobosi Byaruhanga, James Begisa Penz for Musa Ramathan and Goalkeeper Delton Oyo for Jack Komakech.
Uganda Hippos will travel to Mauritania on Wednesday 10th February for the AFCON U20 Finals and will play the first match of Group A on 15th February against COSAFA Champions Mozambique.
The Hippos will play Mauritania on 18th February before meeting with Cameroon on 20th February.
Uganda U20 Starting XI that started against Tanzania U20
18. Komakech Jack (GK)
5. Kizito Mugweri Gavin
6. Semakula Kenneth
4. Musa Ramathan
3. Abdul Azizi Kayondo
17. Bobosi Byaruhanga
10. Mugulusi Isma
8. Sserwadda Steven
14. Yiga Najib
9. Bogere Ivan
20. Kakooza Derrick
Subs
19. Oyo Delton (GK)
1. Ssenyondwa Denis Kaala (GK)
23. Eyamu Ivan
12. Kawooya Andrew
16. Ssekajja Davis
24. Wabyoona Faisal
21. Ssenyonjo Samuel
7. Bukenya Joseph Kizza
25. Ssali Alpha Thierry
13. Kafumbe Joseph
2. Begisa James Penz
