2023 AFCON U-20 Quarter-Final | Uganda vs Nigeria | How Flying Eagles Will Perform Against The Hippos

Seven times U-20 African Cup of Nations winners, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria having finished 2nd behind group leaders, Senegal in Group A, are up against Group B leaders, the Hippos of Uganda in the second quarter-final of this year’s U-20 African cup of nations. 

The Ugandans were runners-up in their debut U-20 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament two years ago. 

The Hippos rubbished bookmakers’ predictions to reach the final of that edition of the tournament but lost 2-0 to Ghana’s Black Galaxies in the final. 

Reaching the quarter-finals of this year’s edition for the Hippos hasn’t been on a roller coaster; the Ugandans have only secured a victory and two draws, earning them five points from three matches. 

A 2-1 win over the Central African Republic, a 2-2 draw against ten-man Congo Brazzaville, and a goalless draw in their last group game against South Sudan. 

Jackson Mayanja, the Ugandan head coach, has said that his objective for this tournament is to qualify his team for the FIFA U-20 world cup. 

To do this, the Hippos must first scale the hurdles of the most successful African U-20 team, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria. 

Having defeated hosts, Egypt by a goal to nothing, and a two-zero victory over Mozambique, the Nigerians resuscitated their hopes of vying for this year’s U-20 crown and a chance to qualify for the world cup. 

The flying Eagles lost their opening match by one goal to nothing against Senegal’s cubs of Teranga.

Nigeria have scored three goals and conceded one at the ongoing U-20 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) while their quarter-final opponents, Uganda have a total of four goals and conceded three. This means the Ugandans can score as much as they concede. 

Meanwhile, the Flying Eagles who have managed three goals so far have been better with their defensive line. 

Both teams are eager to progress and make it to the FIFA U-20 world cup, so the context in this particular encounter will be in the midfield and attack. 

The best tactician will definitely take the day. Who will it be, Ladan Bosso of Nigeria or Jackson Mayanja of Uganda?

Though this is the first meeting between these two African teams at this level, Nigeria seems to have the upper hand in terms of history and statistics and are expected to easily unlock the Ugandan defense line.

However, the Ugandans senior national team have beaten the Super Eagles of Nigeria four times compared to Nigeria’s two victories at the same level. 

How To Watch Uganda vs Nigeria

The quarter-final match will be live on CAF’s partner stations and YouTube channel, one of such channel is @Citysportng on YouTube which will bring all the matches to you live.