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The Ngorongoro Heroes will now battle Uganda in the final clash of the youth tournament in Arusha on Wednesday.
Tanzania clinched last place in the 2021 African Cup of Nations U-20 for the East Africa zone after beating South Sudan 1-0 in the second semi-final of the Cecafa U-20 Championship on Monday.
The tournament was organized in order to produce representatives from the region for the Afcon tournament to be held in Mauritania next year.
Tanzania defeated South Sudan at the Black Rhino Academy in Arusha and the victory will not only give them the Afcon U20 spot, but will also put them in a good position to defend the title at home.
After a goalless first half, Kassim Haruna took the opportunity in the 58th minute to break the deadlock in favor of the Ngorongoro Heroes.
The hosts became the team with the most goals after scoring 15 goals and conceding just two. They began their title defense with a convincing 6-1 victory over Djibouti.
The victory over Djibouti was followed by an even better start for them when they crushed Somalia 8-1 in the next group match.
In the second game, captain Kelvin Pius John, who also participates in the Leicester City Academy in England, scored a hat-trick.
Tanzania will now face Uganda, who edged undefeated Kenya by a 3-1 margin, in the final to be held on 2 December.
Uganda Hippos captain Gavin Kizito Mugweri explained how they managed to reach the final despite an initial draw against Kenya.
“We are happy that our goal of qualifying for the finals has been achieved. I thank the coaches for preparing us and the players for the efforts, ”Mugweri said after the match according to Kawowo Sports.
“Working together as a unit has gotten us here. Everyone is committed to this fight and I’m happy that we made it through. “
Although Morley Byekwaso’s side sealed a spot in the next edition of Afcon, the skipper warned that even more work is still needed.
“Qualification is sealed but we still have to fight for the trophy in the final,” added the captain.
“It would be important for us to go home as champions and we will prepare for that again.”
It is the first time that Uganda has qualified for the U20 Afcon competition.
