Uganda’s U20 team (Hippos) coached by Morley Byekwaso will play hosts Ghana in the final of the 2023 African Games in Accra on Friday, March 22.
“We want to keep on pushing till we get what we want,” Byekwaso affirmed after masterminding a massive comeback against Congo Brazzaville in the semifinal.
The Hippos were losing 2-0 in the first half and came back to win 4-2 against Congo to historically reach the final of the competition for the first time ever after failing to negotiate past the semifinals in 1999 in South Africa.
Byekwaso played in the 1999 competition, and he was also the last man to lead Uganda to their last continental final in 2021 as head coach, against Ghana in the 2020 U-20 AFCON in Mauritania.
25 years after the 1995 heartbreak,and just three years after the 2021 AFCON setback, the coach is back, with another youthful team, against familiar opponents in another continental showpiece, this time, more hopeful as he got exactly the fixture he wanted for a final.
“If I were to choose between Senegal and Ghana, I would say Ghana,” Byekwaso told the press. I have already played Senegal and in the same tournament, it is tricky to play a team two times,” Byekwaso said on Wednesday, shortly before Ghana defeated Senegal 1-0 in the other semifinal.
“We emulate the best footballing countries in Africa as Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana and many others. As a country, we do a lot of research and we pick the knowledge from these football greats,” Byekwaso added, explaining how much his side has improved to register four victories in four games, and a precious spot in the final.
The coach is not counting on mere luck, but better preparation. Like they always say, anything is possible, only if you believe, and never give up on it, and work hard towards attaining the goal.
Ghana, being a strong side, playing at home infront of very many native fans obviously possess a psychological advantage over Uganda, but you just can’t underlook a side that has not lost a game in the competition.
The Black Satellites have conceded just once in the tournament so far, and the Hippos have relatively statistically done very well.
Uganda’s Road To The Final – (Group B Winner with 9 Points);
Uganda 2-1 Nigeria (Group Stage)
Uganda 1-0 Senegal (Group Stage)
Uganda 1-0 S. Sudan (Group Stage)
Uganda 4-2 Congo (Semifinal)
Ghana’s Road To The Final – (Group A Winner with 7 Points);
Ghana 0-0 Congo (Group Stage)
Ghana 3-1 Gambia (Group Stage)
Ghana 1-0 Benin (Group Stage)
Ghana 1-0 Senegal (Semifinal)
Ghana, still unbeaten in the competition won two games and drew once to top Group A with seven points, before defeating Senegal in the semifinal.
Meanwhile, Uganda beat Nigeria, Senegal and South Sudan to top Group B, before defeating Congo in the semifinal.
Bruno Bunyaga x2, Abasi Kyeyune, Hakim Mutebi, Usama Arafat, Ivan Irinimbabazi, Allan Oyirwoth and Apollo Kagogwe have scored Uganda’s eight goals at the tournament.
