Saturday

Uganda U20 2-1 Rwanda U20 (Agg. 3-2)

Despite early elimination from the 2017 CAF U-20 Championship qualifiers, Rwanda U20 head coach Jean Baptsite Kayiranga has hailed his side of playing entertaining football in the return leg played on Saturday at Nelson Mandela Stadium, Namboole in Kampala.

Rwanda Under-20 national team failed to progress to the second round of the CAF U20 qualifiers following a 3-2 aggregate defeat against Uganda. The Hippos won the return 2-1, having managed a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Kigali three weeks ago.

Kayiranga said, "The boys showed the character of playing good football, they try their best but failed to score more goals, nevertheless, I am happy with the way we played, but I am not happy with the results.”

Rwanda snatched an early lead in the 19th minute after striker Abeddy Biramahire, who headed home a fine cross from the right wing off Ange Mutsinzi.

But that last for only three minutes when Zake Luboyera equalized three minutes later, and the forward netted the winner for the home side from the penalty spot in the 47th minute after Rwanda’s defender Amani Niyonkuru was penalized for handball in the goal area.

"Of cause I am disappointed we didn’t get to the second (qualification) round but I must salute my players, for they gave their best to win the game but things just couldn’t go to our side, but all I am happy with the effort of the players,” Kayiranga said after the match.

"They put pressure on our defense at the start of the second half and we made mistake which cost us but this is part of the game, overall, my players gave their best to win the game but it just wasn’t be our day,” he added.

His counterpart Keefa Kisaala said, "We had a clear game plan and it worked so well. We played against a very good team with talented players, so we know the game was going to be difficulty but I told the players to use the chances we get.”

Junior Wasps skipper Savio Dominque Nshuti and Blaise Itangishaka caused all sorts of problems for the Ugandan backline but failed to find the back of the net. The team returned home on Sunday.

Uganda will face Egypt in the second qualification round of the African Youth Championship which will be hosted by Zambia.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw