In a remarkable David vs Goliath tale, Uganda’s U20 side pulled off a stunning 2-1 upset over powerhouse Nigeria in their Group B clash of the African Games’ men’s football competition on Thursday in Accra.
The Ugandan underdogs showcased remarkable resilience and skill, defying the odds to secure a famous victory against the highly-fancied Nigerian squad, who were among the favorites to claim the coveted gold medal.
It was Kiza Usama who sent shockwaves through the Nigerian camp, opening the scoring for Uganda in the 33rd minute with a well-taken strike. However, the Nigerians, boasting a rich pedigree in continental football, swiftly responded through Sadiq Muhammad’s equalizer just four minutes later.
With the match delicately poised, Uganda’s indomitable spirit shone through as Ivan Irinibabazi etched his name into the history books, finding the back of the net in the 81st minute to send the Ugandan contingent into raptures.
Despite a valiant effort from the Nigerians to salvage the result, Uganda’s determined performance and resolute defending ensured they held on to secure an unlikely but thoroughly deserved three points in their African Games campaign opener.
The result not only serves as a massive boost for the Ugandan side but also sends shockwaves throughout the competition, as one of the tournament favorites was brought crashing back down to earth by the underdogs’ resilience and hunger for glory.
