• Mauritania 1-2 Uganda Hippos
• Cameroon 4-1 Mozambique
Uganda Hippos staged a terrific come back to oust hosts Mauritania 1-2 during the final group A game of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations tournament played on Saturday night at the Stade Municipal de Nouadhibou.
Steven Serwadda and Derrick Kakooza scored second half strikes to turn Sanghare’s first half penalty into a mere consolation as Uganda advanced to the quarter-finals in second behind Cameroon.
The Hippos were the dominant side in the opening exchanges with Ivan Asaba, Steven Serwadda and Richard Basangwa forcing fine saves from Mauritania’s goalkeeper Mohamed El Mokhtar.
After 39 minutes, Uganda was pegged back when left back Aziz Kayondo was judged to have fouled danger-man Oumar Mbarek inside the area before Silly Sanghare sent Hippos custodian Jack Komakech the wrong side.
On the hour mark, KCCA forward Serwadda drew the game level thanks to his clinical finishing, firing under goalkeeper El Mokhtar off a Sam Sennyongo assist.
With two minutes to the climax, Uganda Hippos were awarded a penalty when Mohamed Sarr handled Azizi Kayondo’s corner kick.
Police forward Derrick Kakooza stepped up and sent custodian Mohamed El Mokhtar the opposite side, which was reminiscent of his spot kick against Mozambique on day one.
Uganda finished with six points in the second position, three below table leaders Cameroon while hosts Mauritania came 3rd on three points.
Uganda will face off with the top team in Group B (Burkina Faso or Tunisia) next week on Friday 26th February 2021 in the quarterfinal.
Mauritania will however, wait till the climax of other groups to see if they reach the knockout stages as one of the best two third placed teams.
Team Lineups
Uganda Hippos
Jack Komakech, Aziz Kayondo, Musa Ramathan, Gavin Kizito Mugweri, Kenneth Ssemakula, Steven Sserwadda, Isma Mugulusi, Ivan Asaba, Richard Basangwa, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Samuel Ssenyonjo
Mauritania
Mohamed El Mokhtar, Mohamed Sarr, Mohamed Ahmed, Abderrahmane Chighaly, Oumar Mbareck, Mohamed Diop, Bilal El Mokhtar, Adama Diop, Silly Sanghare, Abou Oumar Diallo, Amar Haidara
