U-20 Africa Cup of Nations
Quarterfinals
Thursday’s results
Uganda 0-1 Nigeria
Senegal 1-0 Benin
Uganda’s wait to play at their first ever FIFA World Cup continues after the under 20 national team, the Hippos, had their journey stopped by Nigeria on Thursday.
The Hippos lost to an unfortunate own goal by defender Ibrahim Juma in the 1-0 defeat in Egypt at the ongoing U20 Africa Cup of Nations.
It is a strange world, sometimes. Uganda qualified for the World Cup at the 2021 edition of the U20 AFCON but the global showpiece did not take place because of the Covid pandemic.
Now the Hippos, dominated by StarTimes Uganda Premier League youngsters, crash out at the final hurdle of making it again.
The four semifinalists all qualify for the 2023 World Cup to be played in Indonesia between May and June.
The lone goal Uganda conceded against Nigeria came against the run of play after the Hippos started well.
And when the Nigerians countered Uganda’s early probes, they were rewarded.
Ibrahim Muhammad made a telling run down the left, his subsequent shot hitting the post and rebounding off the unfortunate Juma for a 30th minute Nigerian lead.
The West Africans held on to stay on course to a potential record breaking eighth Afcon title.