Uganda U- 20 football team ,Hippos stunned Congo Brazzaville 4- 2 on Tuesday evening to storm finals at the on- going 13th Edition of the African Games in Accra – Ghana.
The Uganda Hippos rallied from two goals down at the break before securing a hard – fought 4-2 victory.
After only 15 minutes Servyl Akouala gave Congo Brazzaville the lead from a well taken free-kick, and Mignon Koto made it 2-0 at the stroke of half time moments after goalkeeper Shamulan Kamya had been stretched off injured.
But after a lot of pep talk by the head coach Morley Byekwaso Ochama, the Hippos came back from the dressing room a different side full of hunger to win. After 60 minutes Abasi Kyeyune pulled back one goal for the charged Hippos.
In a space of three minutes Bruno Bunyaga netted two crucial goals with the second coming after 70 minutes, and he added his name on the score sheet three minutes later.
Substitute Hakim Mutebi made it 4-2 for Uganda Hippos after 81 minutes with a well taken hard shot from outside the box that the Congo Brazzaville goalkeeper fumbled to save but tapped it into the net.
Uganda’s coach thanked God for the win. “We started the match and did not concentrate well. But we returned and played better,” said Ochama.
The Hippos will now face hosts Ghana in the final on Friday. Ghana defeated Senegal 1-0 in the second semi-final played on Tuesday.
It will be more than a victory since it now confirms that at least the Hippos are sure of medal as they keep sight of gold.
