Monday 20th February
Uganda 2-1 Central African Republic
Suez canal international stadium
The Uganda national U20 team (Hippos) opened their 2023 AFCON campaign with a massive 2-1 victory against Central African Republic in a match played at Suez canal international stadium in Egypt.
Isma Mugulusi and John Paul Dembe scored inntye second half of the game for the Hippos side before Boris Gbenou pulled a goal back in the late minutes to end the game.
The Hippos proved to be a stronger side in the second stanza of the game as they took the game to the Central African Republic team which forced them to defend in their own half.
Defender Apollo Kagogwe was left in shock when his bicycle kick goal was mistakenly ruled out for offside which could have put the Hippos in the lead.
Skipper Isma Mugulusi flicked home a header from Titus Ssematimba in the 47th minute of the game to put the Jackson Mayanja coached side in a deserved 1-0 lead.
Later on, Titus Ssematimba was set up by Ivan Irinimbabazi but his powerful shot rattled the woodwork as the goalkeeper was beaten.
KCCA FC youngster Dembe John Paul doubled the Hippos lead with a beauty goal making an impressive turn to set himself against the goalkeeper and later scored in the far post of the goal for a 2-0 lead.
Uganda now take a lead in group B and their next game will be up against Congo on Thursday 23rd before facing South Sudan.
The Hippos are eager to replicate their glory when they finished runners up in the 2021 tournament after losing by a 2-0 in the finals against Ghana.
A return to the final would earn them a ticket to the U20 FIFA world cup.
How both teams lined up
Uganda Hippos XI
Abdu Magada (GK), Rogers Torach, Haruna Lukwago, Apollo Kagogwe, Ibrahim Juma, Isma Mugulusi, Ivan Irinimbabazi, Travis Mutyaba, Rogers Mugisha, Titus Ssematimba, John Dembe
Central African Republic XI
Mauriel Abimala(GK), Verly Gbamodo, Romeo Gbamodo, Johnson Toure, Boris Gbenou, Moustapha Djimet, Franck Koyakogue, Rufus Betto, Christian Ngonzo, Angello Galabazi, Alban Goyema
