Daily Monitor
Saturday February 20 2021
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Direct qualification is at stake when the national under 20 team, the Hippos, faces off with hosts Mauritania in the final Group A game of the 2021 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.
The two teams are tied on three points after two games and have identical records from 2-0 wins over Mozambique each and 1-0 losses to Cameroon.
The latter have progressed with the top two teams in each of the three groups qualifying directly to the quarterfinals.
The two best-placed third finishers from the three groups will also make the knockout stages.
Coach Morley Byekwaso will expect more incisiveness from his team, particularly going forward, having struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.
Uganda, Cameroon face off in top of Group A clash
A place in the quarter final will be on the line when Group A leaders Uganda and Cameroon square it out at the Olympic Stadium in Nouakchott on Wednesday.
Both teams began their campaign with victories, Cameroon beating hosts Mauritania 1-0 on the opening day of the tournament before Uganda won 2-0 against fellow debutants Mozambique a day later to move top of the group on goal difference.
And on Wednesday, whoever wins the tough clash will set one foot into the quarter finals as it will take them to six points with just one group match remaining.
Seth Willis The tactician has now switched focus to the back four ahead of the biennial competition
U20 Uganda coach Morley Byekwaso believes a slow start coupled with poor officiating contributed to their 5-3 loss against Tanzania in an international friendly match.
The 2020 Cecafa U20 champions and their hosts will represent the region for the Africa U20 Cup of Nations to be held in Mauritania and were using the game as a build-up.
Ngorongoro Heroes scored their goals through Abdul Suleiman - who scored a hat-trick, while skipper John kelvin and Kassim Shaban scored a goal each. The Hippos replied through Ivan Bogere, Sam Ssenyonjo and Derrick Kakoza.
Daily Monitor
Wednesday February 03 2021
Polishing Skills. Striker Kakooza shows off his dribbling skills during training at the MTN Omondi Stadium. PHOTO/J. BATANUDDE
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It is two months since the national Under-20 team Hippos faced off with their Tanzanian counterparts.
The meeting was in the final of the Cecafa Under-20 tournament, which the Hippos won 4-1 against the hosts. They meet again this evening this time with both nations preparing for the Afcon Under-20 tournament.
Coach Morley Byekwaso’s side will play Tanzania in two friendlies games after Namibia pulled out at the 11th hour.
That, he hopes will be sufficient preparation for the final tournament running February 14 – March 6, 2021 in Mauritania.
We expect positive results from the tournament ahead of us, we as players are fit and ready for it. We expect positive results from the tournament ahead of us, we as players are fit and ready for it.
The Hippos qualified after reaching the finals of the U20 Cecafa Championship in December 2020, eventually winning the tournament after defeating the hosts Tanzania 4-1.
Uganda will have to battle for a quarter-final berth with hosts Mauritania, Central African heavyweights Cameroon and Mozambique in Group A.
Tanzania, who lost the Cecafa final to Uganda, have been placed in a tough Group C that features Ghana, Gambia and Morocco while Group B has Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Namibia, and the Central African Republic.