AFCON U20 Quarter Final
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Uganda vs Nigeria
Suez Canal Authority Stadium- 8 pm
The ongoing AFCON U20 tournament continues this evening, and the Uganda Hippos’ quest to compete at the FIFA World Cup continues with a tie against Nigeria in the quarterfinals at Suez Canal Authority Stadium.
The Hippos have a fantastic opportunity to make history as the first football team from Uganda to compete in the World Cup.
“From the time I was given the role as Hippos coach, I made it clear that qualification for the World Cup is the goal. We have come a long way and now closer to it. We play Nigeria, which is a strong side, but we know what this match means to us. It is a game that can turn around Ugandan football, and change our lives, especially for the players.” said Head Coach Jackson Mayanja.
Hippos captain Ismail Mugulusi, who played at this stage with the Hippos in Mauritania, vowed to use his experience to help the team. The Hippos reached the final of the U20 AFCON in 2021, which could have seen them play at the World Cup finals, but the tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is a big game against a big nation with history, but we also want to write history. We are going to go all out, leave everything on the pitch because this is the moment we have been waiting for,” he said.
The last time the Hippos played in the quarterfinals of the AFCON tournament, they faced Burkina Faso, progressing to the semifinals on penalties.
The winner between Uganda and Nigeria will book a ticket to the U20 FIFA World Cup in Indonesia between May and June this year.