Sudan eliminate Uganda to qualify to AFCON U-20 for first time

AFCON U-20 Championship (CECAFA Zone)

• Semi-final 1: Uganda 2-3 Sudan

Sudan qualified to the AFCON U-20 finals for the first time ever.

This followed a spirited 3-2 victory over Uganda in the first semi-final of the on-going CECAFA U-20 championship at the Uhuru stadium in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania under sunny weather conditions.

Rudman Yahya Mohamed Ishag, captain Waheed Shandi Somi Elbadri and Mazin Fadul Albahli Taowr scored for Sudanese youngsters.

Skipper Richard Okello and Derrick Ssozi had Uganda’s goals.

Uganda took the lead in the seventh minute through team captain Richard Okello who finished unmarked inside the goal area past the goalkeeper Mustafa Mohamed Elgadal Fahoud.

The lead was however short-lived when Ishag tapped at the near post of goalkeeper Adrian Isabirye after a decent assist from Osman Ameen Abdalla Manzal.

Yashir Mimosa taps over from 20 yards on the quarter hour mark.

Winger Elvis Opakrwoth has a shot deflected for a corner kick towards the half hour mark.

Opakrwoth had a free-kick curled over from the goal area in the 33rd minute.

Three minutes later, Sudan’s golden opportunity to take the lead was thwarted by goalkeeper Isabirye who saved from a one-against-one incident off Wail Galal Omer Alnour.

Uganda 2-3 Sudan | 7’ Richard Okello, 11’ Rudman Yahya Mohamed Ishag, 47’ Waheed Shandi Somi Elbadri, 65’ Derrick Ssozi, 82’ Mazin Fadul Albahli Taowr

Uganda called for the first change of the game at the start of the second half when Steven Oyirwoth replaced Yashir Mimosa.

Sudan commenced the second half on a bright note, taking the lead two minutes after restart through captain Waheed Shandi Somi Elbadri who finished a solo run from his own half, played a wall pass with Ibrahim Samani Ibrahim Anglo for the simplest of finishes.

On the hour mark, Derrick Ssozi’s would be equalizer for Uganda Hippos was cancelled for off-side.

Sudan made a change in the 63rd minute when Monzer Abdo Khmies Tiya  replaced Ibrahim Samani Ibrahim Anglo.

Uganda brought the goal level through Derrick Ssozi in the 65th minute, beating the goalkeeper at the near post off Hakim Wandera’s inviting low ball from the left flank.

With twenty minutes left on the clock; the officials called for a cooling break.

Immediately after restart from the break, Genesis Ocen Odiya got rested for Amoura Munogera as skipper Okello was replaced by Joseph Ssendyowa.

Munogera got involved into the thick of action immediately with a deft chip well picked up by goalkeeper Mustafa Mohamed Elgadal Fahoud.

Sudan’s Monzer Abdo Khmies Tiya executed a free-kick that goalkeeper Isabirye punched away in the 78th minute.

Sudan restored their lead through Mazin Fadul Albahli Taowr, thanks to a decent assist by the captain Elbadri.

Uganda had two unfortunate changes due to injuries. Munogera limped out for Simon Wanyama and Wandera was stretchered off for Ashraf Kyakuwa.

Kyakuwa had a shot blocked as Uganda desperately threw numbers upfront.         

The final whistle by Kenyan referee Dickens Mimisa Nyagrowa was treated by wild celebrations by the Sudanese players and officials alike.

Sudan had qualified for AFCON U-20 championship, for the first time.

The second semi-final between hosts Tanzania and Burundi will determine the second country to join Sudan at the AFCON U-20 finals come 2027.

Team Line Ups:

Uganda XI: Adrian Isabirye (G.K), Yashir Mimosa, Hakim Wandera, Barasa Mangoli, Gilbert Ogenrwot, John Owino, Richard Okello (Captain), Isima Magala, Derrick Ssozi, Genesis Ocen Odiya, Elvis Opakrwoth

Subs: Igama Batali (G.K), Hakim Kawuki, Steven Oyirwoth, Simon Wanyama, Amour Munogera, Joseph Ssendyowa, Meddy Mutamba, Ashraf Kyakuwa

Head coach: Laryea Kingston (Ghana)

Sudan XI: Mustafa Mohamed Elgadal Fahoud (G.K), Osama Ameen Abdalla Manzal, Humaida Ahmed Suliman Gumaa, Samaan Amin Alfeil Koda, Rudwan Yahya Mohamed Ishag, Obai Abdalla, Nagmeldin Abdelrahim Teya Toto, Waheed Shandi Somi Elbadri (Captain), Mazin Fadul Albahli Taowr, Wail Galal Omer Alnour, Ibrahim Samani Ibrahim Anglo

Subs: Mohamed Abbas Mohamed Abdalla (G.K), Faiz Ahmed Elseed Elfatih, Monzer Abdo Khmies Tiya, Monzer Sarer, Mutaz Elfaki Elnour Wali, Omer Hamid Ghanim Ahmed, Osman Abaker Ismail Alshaikh, Mohamed Elmoutaba Musab Elbadawee Mohamed Elameen, Mohamed Dalmugtaba Yahoub Mahmoud Habeeb

Head coach: Salaheldin Ahmed Nuoredlin Ahmed (Sudan)

Match officials:

• Referee: Dickens Mimisa Nyagrowa (Kenya)
• Assistant Referee 1: Elizabeth Njoroge (Kenya)
• Assistant Referee 2: Racid Waiss Bouraleh (Djibouti)
• Fourth official: Mahamoud Nasser Houssein Mahamoud (Djibouti)
• Commissioner: Amir Hassan (Somalia)
• General Coordinator: Baraka Kizuguto (Tanzania)

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