…Juma is the Andres Escobar of Uganda.
Eniola Olatunji reporting.
#CAFU20Egypt2023.
Seven times African U20 Champions, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria on Thursday ‘fumbled and wobbled’ into her 13th World Cup with a dash own goal gifted by the Hippos of Uganda paving way for Nigeria’s umpteenth appearance in the Semi-final for the African Championship.
There was a bullet of a grass cutter shot that went ricocheting through a defender, hit the right upright of the goal post and bounced off the leg of Ugandan Defender, Juma who was caught flat footed in the 30th minute rolling into an empty net for the coveted goal.
Juma struck a pitiful sight on scoring the goal reminding one of the Captain of Colombia, Andres Escobar who scored an own goal against the USA at the 1994 World cup. It is prayed that his lot will not be like Escobar nicknamed GENTLEMAN who was shot on 2nd July 1994 ten days after he returned to Colombia after the World Cup.
The Hippos of Uganda had laid their hopes on this match psyching themselves that if the team can lead group B they can beat the former Champions, but the dream fizzled out on the own goal.
Nigeria did not sparkle like a champion in the match as the Ladan Bosso boys struggled against a determined bunch of Hippos who tried to control the match through their 46-54 ball possessions. They need to thank their goalkeeper, Mgada who withstood the shots at goal of the Nigerians.
Uganda in the process of seeking a shocker for Nigeria conceded 16 fouls out of which the only three yellow cards of the match went to their players but the Nigerian defence thwarted the four corner kicks advantage they had.
The Suez Canal Stadium waited for the Flying Eagles to peck the Hippos silly, but the Eagle eyed of the Egyptian Referee, Ahmed Nagy Mosa spotted the many offsides from both sides.
The sparkles Nigerians will meet the winner of the match between their fellow West Africans, Scorpions of Gambia and debutante giant killers, South Sudan that will be played at 1500 hours on Friday before the last quarterfinals between Congo and Tunisia.
Uganda’s best performance was a Runner-up at the last tournament where Nigeria was missing. Nigeria had the title seven times won the Silver twice and the Bronze four times.
Four teams that qualify for the semifinals are to represent Africa at the U20 world cup in Indonesia 20th May to 11th June this year. Senegal and Nigeria by today’s victories have qualified. Senegal beat Benin Republic by a lone goal while Nigeria sent Uganda off by the same margin.
The fixtures show Senegal will play at the 1st semis at 1500 hours on Monday while Nigeria will play at the 2nd semis at 1800 hours same day.
