Uganda Hippos played their first friendly match on Monday against FUFA Big League side Jinja North United at the FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru as preparations for the Egypt 2023 AFCON U20 continued.
In what seemed to be a cagey and cautious tie, both sides assembled strong players in either half of the game.
The first quarter of the game saw Jinja create some chances but the Hippos defence stood firm with Apollo Kagogwe denying them with a big block into the corner.
A few minutes later, Issa Bugembe went past the opponents defence and laid in a cutback that saw substitute Kakaire effort parried into play by the goalkeeper and so was Mugisha’s.
Before, midfielder Andrew Kawooya was forced off the pitch with a knock paving way for Kakaire.
Defender Ronald Madoi saw yellow towards the end of the first half for a foul on an opponent.
The second stanza saw the Hippos make various changes with a point of assessing players.
Mugisha was later forced off with a knock before Hassan Mubiru took his place.
Following persistent attacks from the Hippos, they finally broke the deadlock with five minutes past the hour mark through Ibrahim Kasinde who capitalised on Emmanuel Mukisa headed brush in the box.
Mukisa, Saidi Mayanja, Hassan Mubiru, Kasinde, all got more chances to double the lead but were unlucky.
The Hippos will have another friendly match with a yet to be identified team on Wednesday at the FUFA Technical Centre Njeru as preparations for the U20 AFCON in Egypt take continue to take shape.
Hippos lineup in first half.
Abdu Magada, Pius Ssebulime, Jimmy Ndalambi, Apollo Kagogwe, Ronald Madoi, Frank Katongole, Patrick Kakande, Jemba Abdul Shakur Ramsey, Issa Bugembe, Andrew Kawooya, Rogers Mugisha
Hippos Lineup in second half.
Kamya Shamran, Haruna Lukwago, Umar Lutalo, Rogers Torach, Kyazze Faizo, Ivan Irinimbabazi, Ibrahim Kasinde, Thomas Kakaire, Emmanuel Mukisa, Saidi Mayanja, Rogers Mugisha.
