CAF/CECAFA U-20 Zonal Qualifiers: Final: Uganda 4-1 Tanzania
Uganda U-20 National Team (The Hippos) convincingly overcame the hosts 4-1 during the final of the 2020 CECAFA U-20 Challenge Cup played at the Black Rhino Academy sports center in Karatu, Tanzania on Wednesday, 2nd December 2020.
Both finalists started the match well aware they had already booked their tickets to the 2021 AFCON U20 Finals to be hosted by Mauritania but battles between the two teams are well documented.
Uganda and Tanzania have faced off in the last three years at all football levels right from youth to seniors for men and women.
So the final was a real football clash, but who wanted the trophy most?
Both teams were assured of total support from their Football Federation Presidents- Eng. Moses Magogo (Uganda) and Karia Wallace (Tanzania).
The hosts were further bouyed by the presence of Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, that extra support gave Ngorongoro stars every reason to believe that Uganda Hippos would be their next casuality in the final match of the tournament. The score board was so disappointing for the hosts as it flashed Uganda 4-1 Tanzania.
Uganda’s goals were scored by Najib Yiga, Steven Sserwadda, Ivan Bogere and Kenneth Semakula.
Abdul Hamisi Suleiman got the only goal for the hosts whch was an equaliser from the spot kick. It was fast paced match as the two teams played an open and free flowing football. Tanzania were looking to defend the title they won in 2019 after overcoming Kenya 1-0 in the final played at the FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru. Uganda had revenge possibly on their mind having lost to the Tanzanians in the same tournament last year 4-2 in Gulu.
Uganda’s captain Gavin Kizito Mugweri, Azizi Kayondo and Ivan Bogere picked cautions in the game that saw the latter miss a penalty when he blasted the shot over the bar just before the half time break.
Each of the players picked their own medals, an initiative in the new normal epoch to minimize contact between the people due to Covid-19.
Bogere finished as the tournament top scorer with 5 goals, same as Tanzanian, Abdul Hamisi Suleiman.
South Sudan’s goalkeeper Simon Justine was best shotstopper of the tournament.
FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo, a CAF Executive Committee was among the dignitaries who watched the Final and graced the medals, awards and trophy presentation ceremony.
Uganda has further stamped authority of football dominance in the CECAFA region.
Uganda is the reigning CECAFA Champion in U-15 (boys), U-17 (Girls), U-17 (Boys), U-20 (Men), CECAFA Kagame Club Cup (KCCA FC) and the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup (Uganda Cranes).
Uganda U-20 XI Vs Tanzania: Jack Komakech (G.K), Gavin Kizito Mugweri (Captain), Aziz Kayondo, Musa Ramathan, Kenneth Semakula, Isma Mugulusi, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Richard Basangwa (86′ Ivan Asaba), Najib Yiga (77′ Joseph Kizza Bukenya), Ivan Bogere, Steven Sserwadda (90′ Faisal Wabyoona)
Subs Not Used: Denis Ssenyondwa Kaala (G.K), Richard Bbosa, Ashiraf Mulindi, Joseph Kafumbe, Raymond Onyai, Alpha Thierry Ssali
