Friday, December 8
Uganda 2-2 Swaziland
Uganda National U20 football team, the Hippos, played out a two-all draw with Swaziland in the ongoing Cosafa U20 tournament in Zambia.
In a thriller played out at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe, goals from KCCA FC pair Shaban ‘Jargasson’ Mohammed and Allan Okello were not enough to give the Hippos maximum points.
Coming into this encounter at the back of a 2-0 victory against hosts Zambia, the Hippos needed a victory to widen their chances of qualifying to the knockout stage.
Swaziland got into the lead just 23 minutes into the game through Tsabedze Muzi but their happiness was short lived as Muhammad Shaban equalized 6 minutes later.
Both sides could not change the 1-1 scoreline before an halftime break.
Six minutes into the second half, Allan Okello found the back of the net, finishing a great counter attack for the Hippos to take a 2-1 lead.
Uganda looked like they were destined for three points but a lapse in the defence concentration saw Ordee Mamba equalise for Swaziland in the closing stages.
And the worst was yet to come, Captain Mohamed Shaban received marching orders when he picked his second caution though the Hippos managed to hold on for a point.
Next for Uganda, who are top of the summit with four points, is an encounter with Malawi on Monday – a side that drew goalless with Zambia.
It should be noted that the top team in each group and the best runner-up will advance to the Semis.
Uganda Hippos Starting XI
Saidi Keni, Fred Okot, Mustapha Kizza, Geofrey Wasswa, Mustapha Mujjuzi, Abubakar Kasule, Julius Poloto, Shafiq Kuchi Kagimu, Muhammed Shaban, Steven Mukwala, Allan Okello