The Uganda Under20 Men’s Football Team are on the way to making history, debuting at the Africa Cup of Nations Under20 2021 edition and progressing to the finals scheduled for Saturday, 06th March 2021 in Mauritania.

Uganda’s side coached by Morley Bwekyaso yesterday triumphed 4-1 over Tunisia at the semi-finals at the Stade Olympique Nouakchott in Mauritania. Richard Basangwa scored Uganda’s first goal before striker Derrick Kakooza scored 3 goals to emerge Man of the Match and leading goal scorer at the AFCON U20 Tournament with a total of 5 goals.

The Team will this Saturday attempt to break an old rivalry against Ghana- In 1978 the National Senior Team, The Cranes lost 0-2 to Ghana at the Africa Nations Cup Finals in Kumasi, being arguably the best performance for the Uganda Cranes at Continental level.

And as Uganda awaits the finals, congratulatory messages are flowing in for the Hippos:

The President of Uganda, H.E Yoweri Museveni sent out a congratulatory message ‘Congratulations to the Uganda Hippos for that emphatic victory against Tunisia which gives us a shot at the trophy in the AFCONU20 finals. Your country is solidly behind you.’

‘Hearty Congratulations to the Uganda Hippos upon reaching the finals of the AFCONU20. This is the first time to play in this tournament and we have reached this far. Keep up the good fight and we shall bring the trophy home.’ Congratulated the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Museveni.

‘Great display from the Uganda Hippos team to make it into the AFCONU20 Final. We meet Ghana on Saturday to renew an old rivalry. The future is very bright for football in Uganda.’ Congratulated Hon. Denis Hamson Obua, Minister of State for Sports while the NCS Chairman, Dr. Donald Rukare remarked ‘Many congratulations to the Uganda Hippos who made history last night to reach the final of the AFCONU20. The dream for Paris Olympics 2024 should start now and the sky will be the limit.’