Wednesday, February 3
Tanzania 0-1 Uganda
Uganda Hippos managed to edge Tanzania in the first of two friendlies as the two sides gear up for the forthcoming Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations Championship.
Richard Basangwa scored the only goal at Chamazi Stadium in what has been a repeat of the Cecafa U20 final.
Basangwa made a timely run into the area to meet a well weighed Bobosi Byaruhanga freekick, which the winger headed into the net to leave goalkeeper Daniel Mgore rooted to the spot.
Uganda would have won by a better scoreline but Ivan Bogere missed from the spot. The striker had set the goalkeeper the wrong way but his penalty rattled the base of the post in the 54th minute.
Tanzania’s defender Jackson Samwel had handled the area as he rose in the air to head Kayondo’s aerial delivery for referee Ramathan Kayoko to point to the spot.
Substitute Steven Sserwadda almost made an immediate impact on his introduction but the KCCA FC starlet sent his bicycle kick onto the crossbar from a long Gavin Kizito throw-in.
Tanzania had good spells in the game, but failed to get past Hippos goalkeeper Jack Komakech.
Their best chance in the first half saw Hassan Kapalata fire his effort onto the crossbar after the Hippos had cleared from a freekick.
Musa Ramathan also made a goal line clearance to keep the score at 0-1 in the second half, denying Abdul Muhamed.
Substitute Kelvin John almost caused havoc in the closing stages but the Hippos held on to take the bragging rights ahead of Saturday’s second meeting.
Hippos Blunt Up-front
After Tuesday’s training, the Hippos coach Morley Byekwaso said that he had worked on his attacking department to score more goals.
However, after the final whistle, its like more work needs to be done.
Not taking away much credit from the Ngorongoro Heroes on the day, but the Hippos looked blunt in-front of goal and the creativity was lacking.
Byekwaso made one change – Derrick Kakooza starting ahead of Steven Sserwadda – from the team that beat Tanzania 4-1 in Cecafa U20 final in December last year.
Najib Yiga put Kayondo through down the left flank but his cross was poor and easily collected by the shot stopper.
Bogere, the team’s target man, will take the biggest share of blame for missed opportunities on the night.
He had a good chance to open the score-sheet but his effort, after the keeper had punched out Isma Mugulusi free-kick, went over the goal frame.
The Proline striker also failed to punish Tanzania when they lost possession in their own area but he chose to go for a loop which was calmly saved by the keeper.
He went off the radar after then, and later missed his penalty onto the post ten minutes into the second half.
Improved Tanzania Show Grit
The Ngorongoro Heroes put up a courageous performance against a team they lost to 4-1 two months back.
Coached by Jamhuri Kihwelo, the Junior Taifa Stars remained in character even after going a goal down at close of the first half.
They will rue missed chances, especially a Kapalata effort that hit a crossbar in the first half but they will be buoyant to make amends come the finals in Mauritania.
They were the better team in the closing stages, especially after a late introduction of Kevin John but couldn’t find the back of the net.
Kleffin Amduni was outstanding in the first half with slick passes in the middle of the pack while Ben Starke troubled the Hippos defence until the two were later taken off.
Tanzania, making their debut at AFCON U20 just like Uganda, are pooled in Group C alongside Ghana, Gambia, Morocco.
Players Used:
Uganda Hippos XI – Jack Komakech (G.K), Gavin Kizito Mugweri (Captain), Azizi Kayondo, Musa Ramathan, Kenneth Semakula, Bobosi Byaruhanga (Faisal Wabyoona), Najib Yiga (Steven Sserwadda), Isma Mugulusi (Andrew Kawooya), Derrick Kakooza (Sam Ssenyonjo), Ivan Bogere (Joseph Kizza Bukenya), Richard Basangwa (Alpha Ssali)
Subs Not Used: Delton Oyo, Denis Ssenyondwa, Joseph Kafumbe, James Begisa, Baligeya, Ivan Eyamu, Ivan Asaba, Davis Ssekajja
Tanzania Ngorongoro Heroes XI – Daniel Mgore, David Kameta, Pascal Gaudance, Laurent Alfred, Samwel Jackson, Rajabu Athumani, Abdul Mohamed, Hassan Kapalata, Khleefin Amduni, Novatus Dismas, Ben Starke
Substitutes – Rahim Sheikh, Anderson Solomon, David Bryson, Nassoro Saadun, Teps Evance, Kelvin John, Abubaker Salim, Omar Jumanne, Ashraf Malolo, Abdulsattar Kapilima, Henry Hussein, Salim Zuberi
