Football: Uganda Rescued from the Ocean of Shame, U18 Boys Wins Pearl of Africa Only Silverware this year
The Uganda U18 boys national team have edged Kenya 2-1 on Friday afternoon to lift the inaugural CECAFA U18 boys championship and the first continental/regional trophy in a game played at Mamboleo Stadium in Kisumu, Kenya.
Abbas Kyeyune and Hakim Mutebi netted for Uganda as they came from a goal down to complete a 2-1 hard fought comeback over hosts Kenya. Syphas Owour scored the only goal for Kenya.
In a highly contested final, the only goal scoring chance in the first half came in the 28th minute when Humphrey Aroko failed to put the ball at the back of the net as Uganda’s goalkeeper Magada stopped the dormer’s low shot.
Before the break, in the 2 added minutes, Richard Okello scored to put Uganda in the lead but his goal was cancelled due to offside.
Into the second half, the glorious moment came in the 67th minute when Syphas Owuor received a long ball from his goalkeeper which bounced and beat his marker and Owuor sent a powerful shot past goalkeeper Magada to put the hosts in the lead.
With 12 minutes to the final whistle, Uganda equalized through flamboyant Abbas Kyeyune and his goal forced the game to go to the extra time.
Just one minute into the extra-time, Uganda scored the second goal through Hakim Mutebi. The SC Villa forward capitalized on Kenya’s poor defense after a corner kick and smashed the ball into the back of the net.
Morley Byekwaso’s boys fought tooth and nail to keep their slim win and at the full time whistle it was all smile for Uganda as they edged hosts to win the inaugural CECAFA U18 boys championship.
Meanwhile, Tanzania defeated Rwanda 3-1 to win the Bronze medal. Zidane Ally Sereri, Said Said and John Misheto scored for Tanzania while Ndayishimiye Didie netted the consolation for Rwanda.
This became the first and would be the last silverware for Uganda this year, they lost most of the finals they took part in the year 2023, the U18 girls, U15 boys.
Individual Awards.
MVP- Hakim Mutebi (Uganda)
Top Scorer- Aldrine Kibet (Kenya), 3 goals.
Best Goalkeeper – Ibrahim Barasa Wanzala (Kenya)