Uganda’s national U-20 football team, the Uganda Hippos, have missed out on qualification for the 2027 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations after suffering a 3-2 defeat to Sudan in the CECAFA zonal qualifiers on Tuesday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The Hippos took an early lead through Richard Okello in the seventh minute, but Sudan responded three minutes later when Rudwan Yahya Mohamed Ishag levelled the score.
The two sides went into the halftime break tied at 1-1.
Sudan started the second half strongly, with Mazin Fadul Albahi Taoer putting them ahead in the 47th minute.
Uganda fought back and restored parity through Derrick Ssozi in the 65th minute, raising hopes of reaching the final.
However, Albahi Taoer struck again in the 83rd minute to complete his brace and send Sudan through to the final, while Uganda’s hopes of qualifying for the continental tournament came to an end.
The defeat was a setback for coach Laryea Kingston and his team, who had entered the semi-final after winning both of their group matches to finish top of Group B with six points.
Uganda had beaten Djibouti 4-1 before edging Sudan 1-0 in their final group fixture.
Sudan will now face hosts Tanzania in Thursday’s final after the Ngorongoro Boys defeated Burundi 2-0 in the other semi-final.
Both finalists have secured qualification for the 2027 U-20 AFCON.
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