AFCON U-20: Hippos coach Jackson Mayanja sends a strong message to Flying Eagles
...my goal is to take Uganda to the World Cup
The coach of Uganda U-20, Hippos, Jackson Mayanja has sent a strong message to Ladan Bosso, and Nigeria’s U-20 team, Flying Eagles ahead of their Thursday quarterfinal clash.
Nigeria U-20 who finished 2nd in Group A with 6 points booked a clash against the Uganda U-20 who finished top of Group B with 5 points.
The Flying Eagles started the AFCON U-20 by losing 1-0 to Senegal before winning their next games 1-0, and 2-0 against Egypt U-20, and Mozambique U-20 respectively.
Uganda U-20 on their part started with a 2-1 victory over Central Africa Republic, before playing 2-2, and 0-0 draw against Congo U-20, and South Sudan U-20 respectively.
And coach Jackson Mayanja whose team is undefeated at the ongoing AFCON U-20 in Egypt is confident his team will pick the world cup slot.
“This tournament is a bit tricky but this is the game but we had to get a result because I also rested my key players because I trust every player,” Mayanja was quoted by CAFonline.
“Since that we have qualified, now we’re planning for the next one so that we can qualify to the next stage.
“There’s nothing much I can say about the drawing of lots. I’m not a coach who has pressure,” he said.
“This is what I was looking at whether I am first or second but I have qualified that is the most important.
“My goal here in this tournament is to take this team to the World Cup.
“That’s why I give a chance to every player of mine to express himself, to express talent.”
The match between Nigeria U-20 and Uganda U-20 will be played on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at 6 pm Nigerian time at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia.
A place in the AFCON U-20 semifinal and a world cup ticket is up for grabs when the Flying Eagles and the Hippos battle in Ismailia on Thursday.
The winner of the clash alongside three other semifinalists will book automatic tickets for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia which will be held between Sat, May 20, 2023 – Sun, and Jun 11, 2023.
