AFCON U20: Hippos Set Bar High For Future Attempts
The Uganda U20 national football team, the Hippos lost 2-0 against Black Starlets of Ghana in Under 20 Africa Cup of Nations final on Saturday night.
Captain Daniel Barnieh Afriyieh scored either side of the half time break as Ghana won their fourth title and first U20 trophy since 2009.
By the time the final came in to play, many Uganda football fans had it in memory that maybe the Hippos can avenge against the grandsons of Ghana’s senior side, the Black Stars who beat the Cranes in 1978 AFCON final. But unfortunately the desires did not come true.
However, in their debut time to reach final of the tournament, the Byekwaso boys set a high bar to which the next Hippos had to fight hard to level or to break.
Police FC’s Derrick Kakooza enjoyed the tournament, having five goals on his name something likely to be broken by any Uganda starlet in the near future.
Via their twitter handles, a number of Ugandans applauded the lads for standing tall in their debut attempt on the continent.
“Incredibly PROUD of the Uganda 🇺🇬 Hippos for finishing second at the AFCON U20 at the first time of asking.
CECAFA champions who have written their names in history. It has been a long journey. Hold your heads up lads and congratulations to Morley Byekwaso & his entire team. 👏🏾 ” Usher Komugisha,a Ugandan and an international journalist tweeted after the final whistle in Mauritania.
“Hard luck boys
U punched above your weight..
you made the nation proud” A renown Sports Journalist in Uganda Fifi Phiona Pinky on her twitter.
“I would like to extend my Congratulations to the UGANDA 🇺🇬 Hippos team; Although you did not walk away with the trophy, victory lies in the fighting spirit displayed throughout the entire tournament. The future is bright for FOOTBALL MADE IN UGANDA. đź‘Ź
Well won #Ghana” Former Uganda Cranes Star, David Obua tweeted
Uganda Hippos XI:Â Jack Komaketch (GK), Gavin Kizito (C), Aziz Kayondo, Musa Ramathan, Keneth Ssemakula, Bobis Byaruhanga, Isma Mugulusi, Steven Sserwadda, Richard Basangwa, Ivan Asaba, Derrick Kakooza
Ghana U20:Â Danlao Ibrahim (GK), Philemon Baffour, Frank Kwabena Assinki, Uzair Al-Hassan, Samuel Abbey-Ashe Quaye, Emmanuel Essaim, Patrick Mensah, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Precious Boah, Daniel Afriyie Barneh, Mohammed Sulemana