The Uganda U20 National Team ( Hippos) is through to the semifinals at the ongoing African Games 2023 in Accra Ghana after overcoming Senegal at Accra Sports Stadium on Monday evening.
This was Uganda Hippo’s second win in the tournament after beating former Champions Nigeria 2-1 in the opening game.
This simply means that Uganda has qualified for the semi -finals for first time since 1999 when they finished fourth in South Africa.
Morley Byekwaso made one change from the squad that won against Nigeria as he introduced goalkeeper Shamuran Kamya in charge of Abdul Magada.
Arafat Usama had a chance to score an opener in the ninth minute but the Senegalese custodian Prince Hally Gueye was equal to the challenge.
Left-back Ibrahim Juma attempted a powerful effort from distance but failed to find the target after 23 minutes.
In the 25th minute, Uganda was awarded a penalty after Usama Arafat was tripped in the dangerous area.
Allan Oyirwoth scored from a rebound after goalkeeper Gueye saved the earlier effort from the 12-yard mark.
Before the first stanza ended, Harunah Lukwago was forced off the playing ground due to an injury before being replaced by Apollo Kaggogwe.
In the second stanza, Senegal improved their craft by pegging Uganda on the back foot, unlike the first half.
In the 61st minute, Hakim Mutebi was introduced for Jonah Patrick Kakande as Byekwaso introduced fresh legs upfront.
Thiam Chiekh flicked the ball in front of Uganda’s goal but Idrissa Gueye nodded above the crossbar with 12 minutes left.
Uganda Hippos will play their last group game on Friday, March 15 and they will taking on South Sudan.
