AFCON U20: Isma Mugulusi, Ddembe seal Hippos first victory in style

Uganda Hippos have registered a perfect start with a 2-1 win against Central African Republic in their Group B opener at the ongoing AFCON U20 Championship in Egypt.

The 2021 finalists scored two second half screamers through skipper Isma Mugulusi and John Paul Ddembe.

Isma Mugulusi sent the Hippos into a 1-0 lead with a bicycle kick strike early into the second stanza.

In the 73^rd minute, forward John Paul Dembe curled the ball into the lower corner of the posts after a lung bursting run cutting into the area from the left hand wing to extend the lead to 2-0.

Late into the dieing minutes of the game, Boris Gbenou pulled one back for Central African Republic as the game ended 2-1.

Uganda’s next engagement will come against Congo on February 23^rd before a highly anticipated East African derby against South Sudan on Feb 26^th in their last group game.

Uganda Hippos reached the final in 2021 edition in Mauritania and are targeting a final slot in this edition to qualify to the World Cup.

This year’s FIFA U20 World Cup shall be held from April to May in Indonesia.