Uganda Hippos face Tanzania

KAMPALA – Uganda Hippos will take on hosts Tanzania on Friday, at the KMC Stadium in a highly anticipated semifinal of the CECAFA AFCON U20 Zonal Qualifiers.

A victory for either team will secure them a spot at the AFCON U20 final tournament slated for January next year in Ivory Coast.

The Hippos head into this clash unbeaten, having topped Group B with seven points from three matches while Tanzania finished second in Group A, behind Kenya.

Uganda’s head coach, Mathias Lule and team captain Toto Majub, both predict a tough and physical encounter given Tanzania’s home advantage.

However, they remain confident about emerging victorious and booking their place in the final tournament.

“I believe we are in perfect shape to face Tanzania. I know it is never easy to play against hosts but we have prepared the team well to execute the task.” Said Lule.

On the other hand, skipper Majub said, “We want to qualify for AFCON and that is our target as players. We are confident and optimistic that this will happen.”

All eyes will be on the tournament’s standout performer, forward John Paul Dembe who has netted four goals for the Hippos thus far.

The team also aims to win this trophy for a third consecutive time having triumphed in the previous two editions held in Tanzania and Sudan in 2020 and 2022 respectively.

Should the game end in a draw after normal time, extra time will be played to determine the winner.

Both finalists will secure automatic qualification to the AFCON U20 final tournament.