The National U-20 football team-Hippos take to the field this afternoon in the first leg of the 2013 Africa Youth qualifier against Ghana Black Satellites at Nakivubo Stadium. The Hippos who have been camped at Kavumba for over a week now will need to use the home advantage well before the return leg in Ghana next month. Paul Nkata, the head coach of the Hippos told URN on Friday evening that they are not taking anything to chance because the boys are aware, they need goals and also guard the back-line so well.
Despite the fact that the team captained by Yusuf Mukisa has been impressive in two build-up games against Lugave clan (2-0) and Ex-Internationals (8-0), it must find scoring ways this afternoon against a more polished Ghana team which won the World Cup and African Youth titles in 2009. George Opio Abege who scored the lone goal in the 1-1 draw away to Mozambique in the second round of the preliminary game before getting to this stage is expected to start this time round together with Erisha Ssekisambu and William Wadri Kadogo.
Midfielder Geoffrey Kizito Baba, a semi professional in Vietnam is expected to start the game to counter the opponents’ midfield which has according to reports in Ghana been their best department. But as the Uganda Hippos plan a winning strategy, the Black Satellites coach Maxwell Konadu told URN during an interview at Hotel Sajovalo that he hopes the conditions at the pitch are not interfered by rain so that they can play good flowing football.
He said despite the fact that they respect Uganda; they are here for serious business and will battle to get a good result before the return leg. In-form Benjamin Fodi, Jacob Appau and Joseph Baffour will be the dangerous players to watch for the Ugandan youth side as the trio have proved effective in finding the net in their build-up games. The winner between the Hippos and Ghana's Black Satellites over the two legs will face the winner of the game between Morocco and Gambia in the second round set for September and October.
