Uganda Hippos Shine Bright, Bringing Home Bronze from CAF U-20 AFCON Qualifiers

The Uganda Hippos, the U-20 national football team, finished in third place of the CAF U-20 AFCON qualification tournament that took place in Tanzania. Following their loss in the semifinals, the Hippos were determined to win an exciting game against Burundi and move into third place.

Uganda Hippos Journey in CAF U-20 AFCON Qualifiers

The Uganda Hippos actually saw action in the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Tanzania. Having encountered difficulties on their path, they managed to stay high on their feet.

Semifinal Showdown Against Tanzania

Uganda faced the host, Tanzania, in the semifinals of the tournament, where the match saw them lose narrowly 2-1. The Hippos showed so much promise through the match that the loss still found them with hopes of a strong performance.

Victory Against Burundi: Clinching Third Place

The Uganda Hippos put up an impressive performance to win 3-1 against Burundi in the classification match for third place. Ddembe John Paul, the real star of the game, scored two of these goals, while Abubakali Walusimbi scored the third. That victory ensured bronze for Uganda, to the joy of their fans.

Ddembe John Paul Emerges as Top Scorer

Among the highlights of the tournament was Ddembe John Paul, who delivered an outstanding performance. He has played a big part in every victory and was also the tournament’s top goal scorer with six goals. His ability to score alone makes him a promising future star for Uganda.

Coach Matia Lule’s Reflections and Future Outlook

Uganda Hippos’ coach, Matia Lule, expressed mixed emotions after the tournament. While the team fell short of their goal to qualify for AFCON, he praised the boys for their resilience and determination.

Lule pointed out the necessity of exposing the team to match experience, particularly for those on their first national outing. He also highlighted the potential of Ddembe, being the next golden boy for Uganda. On a broader scale, Lule emphasized the need to provide a competitive environment for young children development in Uganda and urged the National Football Federation to make sure such opportunities are made available so that the Hippos can promote themselves in higher-level leagues.

Final Standings

Tanzania lifted the trophy after defeating Kenya 2-1 to secure qualification for the U20 AFCON sports. Both Tanzania and Kenya will represent the CECAFA region in the next U20 AFCON in 2025. Uganda narrowly missed qualification; however, their performance promises a bright future for the national team.

Looking Ahead

The bronze medal victory for the Uganda Hippos at the CAF U-20 AFCON qualification tournament is not just another medal-it is a hope that our youths will rise to the occasion and put Uganda on the map.

As the future is built with talents like Ddembe John Paul at the helm, definitely youth football in Uganda is on the rise. With home-grown development and enough support, these Hippos will surely wear the national colors with pride for many years to come.