AFCON U-20 AFCON : UGANDA HIPPOS MARCH TO SEMIS AFTER EDGING BURKINA FASO ON PENALTIES

Uganda beat Burkina Faso 5-3 on post-match penalties on Thursday evening to qualify for the AFCON semifinals.

The two teams had played out to a goalless draw in regulation time and in extra time at Stade Cheikha Boidiya in Mauritania.

And when it came to the penalties, Uganda held their nerve to convert all their attempts.

Uganda goalkeeper Komakech saved Burkina Faso’s Yacouba Djiga’s spot kick to send the Hippos through.

The winner between Uganda and Burkina Faso date either Morocco or Tunisia in the semifinals.

Ahead of the quarter-final match, Uganda coach Morley Byekwaso had warned that his Hippos would go into the match like wounded lions.

Burkina Faso is a strong team but we have gone through all the tests and challenges in our group games. We are facing a new team that is physical but we are like a wounded lion. We have lost and won, there is nothing to lose but to give out what we are naturally capable of doing. It will be an interesting match for both teams. We shall play more attacking football to have the best results from the match,” Byekwaso is quoted saying.

This was the first-ever quarterfinal appearance for Uganda at this tournament.

Uganda sailed past the hosts Mauritania, Mozambique and Cameroon in the group stage to make it to the quarterfinals.

Uganda finished Group A in the second place with six points after beating Mozambique 2-0, lost 1-0 to Cameroon and beat Mauritania 2-1.

Burkina Faso won two matches and drew once in group B.

Uganda: Jack Komakech, Gavin Kizito, Azizi Kayondo, Musa Ramathan, Kenneth Semakula, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Isma Mugulusi, Steven Sserwadda

Burkina Faso: 30-Moussa Traoré (Gk), 4-Moustapha Ouédraogo (C), 5-Nasser Djiga, 3-Eric Chardey, 22-Bamba Karamoko, 6-Roland Sanou, 14-Clovis Ouédraogo, 10-Ibrahim Bench, 21-Joffrey Bazié Nino, 27-Mubarack Compaoré, 7-Kwamé


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