The Uganda U20 National Team is through to the semifinals at the ongoing Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Mauritania.
Uganda’s Hippos overcame Burkina Faso in the quarter finals on Thursday on spot kicks from after normal time had ended in a barren stalemate.
A closely contested encounter saw no goals produced between the two sides both in normal time of 90 minutes and 30minutes of extra time. The two sets of players were matched pound for pound befor the match was decided on penalties.
The result means that the youngsters are edging closer to the USD 200,000 (UGX740M) winning cash prize promised by FUFA if they win the tournament.
Goalkeeper Jack Komakech was the hero in the penalty shootout when he saved Yacoub’s kick from the spot-the first attempt for the Burkinabes.
For Uganda, all the players that were selected converted their efforts to help the team win 5-3.
Derrick Kakooza who has scored two goals at the tournament so far led the way sending the goalkeeper the wrong.
He was followed by Joseph Kizza Bukenya then Najib Yiga and Ivan Bogere who all came on as substitutes.
Defender Kenneth Ssemakula did the icing on the cake with the final take that crawled past the Burkinabe goalkeeper.
Uganda will now face the winner between Tunisia and Morocco in the semifinals.
