Zaake Luboyera struck in both halves to ensure Uganda U- 20 overcame Rwanda’s Junior Wasps 2-1 in a tightly contested return leg played at the Mandela national stadium on Saturday.
The visitors caused an early scare just five minutes into the game when Abbedy Birahamire pounced on a loose ball after a miscommunication between Emmanuel Olinga and Halid Lwalirwa failed to clear off an oncoming cross. Abbedy paced ahead and sent in a stunning drive past Ahebwa but could only rattle the crossbar.
The Hippos retaliated with a quick counter on Hassan Musana’s wing which snaked through to Luboyera and finally landed on Lubega but was fouled before turning into the box.
Luboyera’s resultant free-kick flew past the three man wall just to lick the upper right apex.
Biramahire put the Wasps ahead on the 18th minute mark with a clinical brush to beat Ahebwa who was too slow to reach along ball into his box.
Uganda restarted the ball and immediately equalized through Luboyera to end the first half at even.
Edrisa lubega had another chance to double the lead nine minutes after restart but his to be loop was handled in the box prompting Kenyan centre referee Israel Mpiima to point to the spot. Luboyera then sent Nzeyurwanda to the opposite side.
The Hippos who went through on a 3-2 aggregate from the one all draw in first leg, will now face Egypt in the second round with the first leg is scheduled to be played between 20–22 May in Kampala while the return leg slated for 10–12 June 2016 in Cairo.
The winner from the second round will proceed to the final round where they play either Angola or Gabon.
Seven teams will go through to the final tournament to be held from 1st April to 24 July 2016 in Zambia. The top three from the tournament book a spot in 2017 U-20 world cup.
Lineups:
Uganda:
James Ahebwa (G.K), Umar Mukobe, Hussan Musana, Halid Lwaliwa, Geoffrey Wasswa, Daniel Shabena, Emma Olinga, Frank Tumwesigye, Edrisa Lubega, Pius Wanji, Zaake Luboyera
Substitutes:
Eric Kibowa, Julius Poloto, Yasin Mugume, Martin Kizza, Nicolas Kagaba, Shafiq Kagimu, Muhammad Shaban.
Rwanda:
Nzeyurwanda Jimmy Djihad, Niyonkuru Aman, Mutsinzi Ange, Sibomana Arafati l, Nsabimana Aimable, Manishimwe Djabel, Muhire Kevin, Biramahire Abeddy, Itangishaka Blaise, Niyibizi Vedaste and Nshuti Savio Dominique.
Subs:
Hategekimana Bonheur, Ndikumana Patrick, Ahoyikuye Jean Paul, Ntirushwa Aime Ngabo Mucyo Fred, Yamini Salum, Nshuti Innocent