AFCON U20: Kakooza’s hat trick sends Uganda to final

Uganda Under 20 have outdone themselves by booking a ticket to the finals of the Under 20 African Cup of Nations after walloping Tunisia 4-1 with Derrick Kakooza bagging a hat-trick.

The Hippos who came into the tournament as debutants will now face African heavyweights Ghana in the finals slated for Saturday 6 March at the Nouakchott Olympic Stadium in Mauritania.

Uganda beat Kenya 3-1 in the first semi-final of the CECAFA Under 20 back in December last year on route to their qualification of the AFCON tourney.

Morley Byekwaso’s side had a blistering start to the game and showed no signs of stage fright as they opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Richard Basangwa’s deft touch took out Aziz Guesmi before firing in the opener.

Basangwa turned provider for Uganda’s second goal in the 36th minute as he put the ball on a plate with a cross across the face of goal for Kakooza to tap in with the simplest of finishes.

Tunisia pulled one back three minutes later through a fortuitous goal from a corner as Uganda’s clearance cannoned off Adam Lamin and into the back of the net.

The Hippos had a mirror start to the second half as they only needed five minutes to extend their lead as Bobosi Byaruhanga floated in a long pass from the halfway line that was nodded in by Kakooza in a first-time finish.

The Police FC forward completed his hat-trick in the 73rd minute after being put through on goal by Ivan Bogere as he took a touch before nonchalantly rolling the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper.

Uganda will have a daunting task when they come up against Ghana who are in contention for their fourth AFCON title after clinching the U20 crown in 1993, 1999, and 2009.

The Ghanaian U20 side have also enjoyed success on the world stage after winning the Under 20 World Cup back in 2009, becoming the only African country achieve that feat.