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The Uganda National U20 Football Team, The Hippos have won the 2022 CECAFA U20 TOURNAMENT in Sudan.
This is after they rallied from a goal down to defeat South Sudan 2-1 at the Al Hilal Stadium on Friday evening.
Isa Bugembe cancelled out Felix Abishai opener for South Sudan before Titus Ssematimba won it for Uganda in the second half.
Uganda started off the game the brightest and their first attempt on target fell to Ibrahim Juma who had his freekick parried away for a corner by Sabio, the South Sudanese goalie.
But it was South Sudan who broke the game’s deadlock through Felix who tapped home from close range after a Wang Koal set-up.
Uganda had several chances to level matters immediately after conceding that goal, but Roger Mugisha got denied by Sabio.
After a few relentless attempts at South Sudanese, Uganda finally got their reward in the 22nd minute through Bugembe whose shot from outside the box oozed into the back of the net.
The game went into the break tied at 1-all and two minutes into the second, Uganda nearly went ahead but Sematimba shot close to the goalkeeper.
Few moments later, Haruna Lutalo also wasted a brilliant chance as he headed wide after being found unmarked in the area by Ronald Madoi.
Uganda continued to press for a winner in the next few minutes as Isma Mugulusi got denied twice by Sabio.
The Hippos finally got rewarded for their pressures just before the hour mark as Titus pounced in from close range after Mugisha’s initial shot hit Mugulusi to fell into Titus’ path to net in.
South Sudan tried to level matters late on in the game but the Ugandan defense remained watertight to secure the victory.
Uganda have now defended the title they won in 2019 in Arusha when they defeated Tanzania in the final.
The Hippos have also secured promotion to the 2023 U20 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt.
The story is being updated…
