CHIMP SPORT: Uganda Hippos Make Make Light Work of Djibouti

• Uganda 4-1 Djibouti

Uganda U20 men’s national team, the Hippos, made a flying start to the CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers with a convincing 4-1 victory over Djibouti on Tuesday.

The Hippos dominated proceedings at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, taking the lead as early as the fifth minute when Isma Magala Mulala found the back of the net.

Djibouti responded in the 23rd minute, with substitute Ishak Tahir restoring parity.

Uganda, however, regained control before the break as Genesis Ocen Odiya struck on the stroke of halftime to send the Hippos into the interval with a 2-1 lead.

Captain Richard Okello extended Uganda’s advantage on the hour mark before Magala completed his brace two minutes later to wrap up a comfortable victory.

The result puts Uganda in a strong position in Group B ahead of Friday’s clash against Sudan. A victory in that encounter will guarantee the Hippos a place in the semifinals.

The regional qualifiers feature three groups of three teams each. Group winners advance directly to the semifinals, while the remaining semifinal place goes to the best-ranked runner-up across the three groups.