Uganda's U-20 AFCON dream ends as Sudan seal qualification

U-20 AFCON CECAFA Qualifiers

Semifinals

Uganda 2 Sudan 3

Uganda's hopes of reaching the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) ended on Tuesday after the Hippos lost 3-2 to Sudan in the CECAFA semi-final in Dar es Salaam.

The defeat means Uganda will miss the U-20 AFCON in Ghana, while Sudan have qualified for the continental tournament for the first time.

The Hippos had entered the semi-final with confidence after beating Sudan 1-0 in their final Group B match on Saturday to finish top of the group.

Sudan responded four minutes later through Rudman Yahya Mohamed Ishag to level the game.

The teams went into the break at 1-1, but Sudan took the lead again two minutes after the restart when captain Waheed Shandi Somi Elbadri scored.

Uganda thought they had equalised through Derrick Ssozi, but his earlier effort was ruled out for offside.

Ssozi eventually got his goal in the 65th minute, beating the Sudan goalkeeper at the near post to make it 2-2.

With Uganda pushing for a winner, Sudan struck again in the 82nd minute through Mazin Fadul Albahli Taowr.

The Hippos could not find another equaliser as Sudan held on for a 3-2 victory.

Uganda had started the qualifiers well, beating Djibouti 4-1 before edging Sudan 1-0 to top Group B.

The loss, however, leaves Uganda with the third-place play-off as the team looks to finish the campaign with a win.

Sudan will now face the winner of the other semi-final between Tanzania and Burundi in the final, while Uganda will play the losing team for third place on Thursday.

The CECAFA qualifiers provide two places at the 2027 AFCON, with the two finalists earning qualification.