AFCON U20: Byekwaso praise his team after reaching finals

The Uganda U20 national team head coach Byekwaso was full of praise for his charges for their effort following their emphatic 4-1 victory against Tunisia in AFCON U20 semifinals.

In their maiden attempt, the Uganda Hippos defied all odds to progress to the final of the Total Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Tunisia at the Stade de Olympique in Nouakchott on Monday night.

Byekwaso has now noted that they had to device a good game plan to stop the North Africans.

“We have had three days without sleep just trying to think of ways of stopping them,” Byekwaso said before adding.

“Tunisia is a very good team and one of the powerhouses in African football. I know for sure that individually player by player, we cannot match them but as a team we are better.”

“They are a team which possesses the ball and do a lot of interchanging in midfield. They are comfortable in their positions and know each other well.”

“We knew that once we gave them space and time on the ball, they would hurt us and that is the area we emphasized on and that really helped us. We also got our chances and used them,” he added.

Uganda will now face the three-time champions and former FIFA Under-20 World Cup winners Ghana in the Saturday evening final encounter.

According to Byekwaso, his team can write their names in the history of Uganda and African football.

“For us, we take a game at a time. No one expected us to get here but we are here now. We know Ghana is a strong team but we are going into the final without pressure on our shoulders,” he noted.

If the Hippos edge Ghana on Saturday, it will make them the first Ugandan team to clinch a Continental title.