Nakivubo miracle

Apr 21, 2002

HIPPOS exhibited two different sides of the same coin as they sailed through to the next round of the Africa Youth Championship at Nakivubo on Saturday.

By Joseph Opio andNorman Katende Uganda 4 (4) Sudan 4 (3)HIPPOS exhibited two different sides of the same coin as they sailed through to the next round of the Africa Youth Championship at Nakivubo on Saturday.An excitement-dulled first half, devoid of any cohesion and teamwork gave way to an inspired second half in which Uganda gave ample justification of their pre-match talk.The Ugandan youngsters put up a miraculous performance, becoming the first team in decades to come from a goal down at Nakivubo to secure a place to the next round. Dan Obote was man-of-the-match.The Hippos, trailing 3-1 from their first leg in Khartoum and in desperate need of an early goal, were on the receiving end of one as Eldin Antar’s second-minute strike flew past a hapless Dirisa Kyeyune. But, luckily for the Ugandans, it was ruled offside.However, with Uganda surrendering the initiative, the Sudanese grabbed the opportunity and in the 21st minute, Ibrahim Sayed Kamal got the formulae right and put the Sudanese in the lead. That gave them an aggregate 4-1 lead and disgusted fans began walking out even before the half-time whistle. With little in form of creativity in the midfield, Hippos’ cause was not helped by strikers Ismail Kigozi and Geoffrey Serunkuma’s obvious guilt at squandering the few chances we carved out.Coach Timothy Ayeikoh’s tongue-lashing at half-time proved effective as Obote combined with Joseph Kabagambe to find the much-needed penetration in midfield.It was not long before Amurani Mukasa, Fred Tamale and Nathan Mutenza rekindled the previously flickering Ugandan flame with strikes that put the game 4-4 on aggregate.The Hippos huffed and puffed for the winner but the game went into post-match spot kicks. The Sudanese blasted two in the stands and Obote’s penalty was saved. However, Ismail Kigozi’s crucial winner ensured qualification and Obote, despite his miss, was not to be vilified.“Twagala Obote Nga sente” the fans chanted as the sun set and with it the Sudanese hopes of advancing in the championships.ends

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