The game was very tough because Mauritania showed that they are a good team in this tournament and they play fast and entertaining football. We analysed them from how we saw them play their first two matches and we knew they press high and the only way to beat them was to play the balls directly to our strikers. It worked well because we put them under pressure.
Uganda s Aziz Kayondo, who won the man of the match award, explained how they planned to tackle Mauritania despite the fact they knew it was not going to be an easy adventure.
Kakooza breaks Mauritania hearts as Uganda qualify for quarter finals
Substitute Derrick Kakoozaâs ice cold 88th minute penalty handed Uganda a 2-1 victory over hosts Mauritania at the Stade de Olympique in Nouakchott on Saturday as the CECAFA region debutants progressed to the quarter finals of the Total Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
Both sides needed victory to assure passage to the last eight, but it was Uganda who would pick the ultimate prize coming from behind to win the tie and seal second spot. The host nation will now have to wait till the final round of Group C matches to know if they progress as one of the two best third placed teams.
They played well and were very organized. The first match is always very difficult and that is why we had a slow start. We were a bit nervous and we ended up making poor decisions at times. We came back into the second half and told the players to play with intensity and that was what was key for us and helped us to come back into the game and win.
Uganda s Isma Mugulusi won the Man of the Match Award owing to his positive influence on the 2020 U20 Cecafa champions. He has revealed what the coach told them at half-time and went on to express his feelings after being recognized for his output.
Uganda beats Mozambique to top Group A
The Hippos of Uganda beat Mozambique 2-0 in Nouakchott to top Group A of the Total U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Mauritania 2021.
Goals from Derrick Kakooza and Steven Sserwadda were enough for the CECAFA champions to start their campaign with a victory.
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The Cranes clinch all three points in their first group stage match of #TotalAFCONU20! â #UGAMOZpic.twitter.com/oMgrt3vgde #TotalAFCONU20 (@CAF Online) February 15, 2021
The Hippos broke the deadlock ten minutes into second half courtesy of Kakooza s penalty before Sserwadda won it with a stupendous strike three minutes from time.
“But as KCCA, we are not focussing on others, we are going to perfect our act, try to play the way we want to play. As I said, it will be tough with all those clubs staking their case for the title.”
KCCA will face BUL FC at Jinja’s Kyabazinga Stadium on Friday as the season resumes after a January-February break.
“But we have to try and negotiate the fight that will be presented for us, it is not going to be an easy game [against BUL] they have always given us a couple of problems,” he added.
“But I think we have enough in our armoury to negotiate that challenge.”