Uganda U20 coach seeking to inspire generations with AFCON success

Uganda Under 20 head coach Morley Byekwaso is banking on the success of his side to spur on generations dreaming of playing football.

The Hippos under the tutelage of Byekwaso debuted in the Under 20 African Cup of Nations this year and made it all the way to the final after drubbing Tunisia 4-1 in the semi-finals.

The coach who himself turned out for Kampala City Council (KCC) now KCCA hoped that the success of the Hippos can fuel the passion of future footballers.

“This is a big motivation factor for the country for the young boys willing to play for The Cranes and I think it is going to motivate us in next five years to see that we invest a lot in young kids to strengthen our senior national team,” said Byekwaso.

Uganda will now face Ghana in the final slated for Saturday 6 March and will look to exorcise the ghosts of 1978 when Blacks Stars beat The Cranes in the AFCON final.

Byekwaso revealed that they had spent sleepless nights preparing for the clash against Tunisia 

“Uganda we play game by game, we are not the strongest, but when we get the chance we try as much as possible, Tunisia is a very good team, for sure we have had three days without sleeping just thinking about them, we respect them, they are one of the superpower countries, we tried to do what could stop them.”

“We respected them, once you see the way they have been playing, they are a team which possesses the ball do interchanging in midfield very comfortable in a position know each other well, and we knew if we can allow them to circulate the ball they will hurt us, we minimized the spaces that helped us, it is one of the best teams, thankful to win,” he added.

Derrick Kakooza bagged a hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Tunisia and was confident of beating Ghana in the final. 

“I am thankful for the three goals, this is the first hat-trick of the tournament which takes my tally to five goals and I am glad it took us to the final. Ghana is a tough team, but we will win the game, I thank the team for the effort, and I promise I will work hard, this is just the beginning,” said Kakooza.

The Hippos will hope to continue their winning run after clinching the Under 20 CECAFA tournament in 2020, beating Kenya 3-1 in the semi-final.