Uganda Hippos ooze class to tame Nigeria at the All Africa Games

Uganda Hippos celebrate the first goal over Nigeria|FUFA IMAGE

ALL AFRICA GAMES Uganda Hippos ooze class to tame Nigeria at the All Africa Games

Allan Damba 07:36 - 08.03.2024

Goals from KCCA's attacker Usama Arafat Kizza and Ivan Irinimbabazi were enough to have the Hippos pick their maiden three points at this year's tournament.

Uganda's U20 national team put up a brilliant display in their first match of the 2024 All-Africa Games as they beat Nigeria 2-1, at the University of Ghana Stadium, Accra, on Thursday.

Goals from KCCA's attacker Usama Arafat Kizza and Ivan Irinimbabazi were enough to have the Hippos pick their maiden three points at this year's tournament.

The Uganda Hippos team that toppled Nigeria|FUFA IMAGE

Sadiq Isyaka netted Nigeria's consolation on the evening when Uganda exerted dominance.

Head coach Morley Byekwaso's side broke the deadlock in the 34th minute, with Usama Arafat getting at the end of an Ibrahim Juma long ball, to strike brilliantly into the net.

Usama Arafat Kizza in action over Nigeria|FUFA IMAGE

Isyaka then levelled matters three minutes later with a header off a poorly defended corner.

With nine minutes to full-time, Irinimbabazi spectacularly struck in the winner, a thunderous low-drive from distance in the bottom right corner.

The scoreline could have been bigger for the Hippos but Abbas Kyeyune, Bruno Bunyaga, Usama Arafat and Haruna Lukwago all missed decent goal-scoring opportunities.

Following the win, Uganda lead Group B proceedings with three points, the same tally as second-placed Senegal, who beat South Sudan 1-0 in the initial game. Nigeria and the former sit third and fourth, respectively.

Uganda will return in action on Monday with a contest against Senegal, while on the same day, Nigeria will battle South Sudan.

Uganda Hippos Starting XI

Abdu Magada (GK), Haruna Lukwago, Ibrahim Juma, Ronald Madoi (Cyrus Kibande), Rogers Torach (C), Ivan Irinimbabazi, Abasi Kyeyune, Allan Oyirwoth, Bruno Bunyaga, Arafat Kizza Usama(Alpha Thiery Ssali), Jonah Patrick Kakande (Hakim Mutebi)

Unused Substitutes

Shamulan Kamya (GK), Humprey Oyirwoth (GK), Apollo Kagogwe, Enock Luyima, Shafiq Magogo