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Uganda Hippos head coach Jackson Mayanja was impressed with his players despite failing to score a goal against neighbours South Sudan in their final Group B game of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday night.
Uganda needed any result other than a loss for a chance to get the direct slots to the quarterfinal and were just able to do that.
Mayanja was impressed with performance despite making five changes to his team that drew 2-all against Congo.
“The performance was not bad because even the players who came had not played any game but still, they played well,” Mayanja said while insisting that he is not under any pressure.
“I am not a coach who is under pressure that’s why I rested some of my players because I trust every player.”
The team’s captain Isma Mugulusi, John Paul Dembe, Ivan Irinimbabazi, Haruna Lukwago and Ibrahim Juma were rested for the quarterfinals.
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That allowed Wakiso Giants defender Ronald Madoi, Umar Lutalo, Frank Katongole, Issa Bugemba and Travis Mutyaba a chance to showcase their talent. Mutyaba won the man-of-the-match award.
His focus shifts to Nigeria whom they face on Friday 3rd in the last eight with a World Cup at stake.
“This tournament is a bit tricky but our focus is on the next game. Our main target as a team is to qualify for World Cup. We have one more game against Nigeria to achieve it,” the coach added.
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