The Uganda under-20 men’s national team, the Hippos passed the Champions mentality test last evening as they fought back from a two goal deficit against Congo in the Men’s football semi-final at the All Africa Games in Ghana
Uganda booked a slot in the final after defeating Congo 4-2 thanks to second half goals by Bruno Bunyaga who scored a brace, Abbas Kyeyune and Hakim Mutebi.
Having suffered a very slow start in the first half, the boys found themselves with a huge load of work to breakdown the congolese defence whose striking line too had the hippos trailing by two goals.
However, one man was ready to rise to the occasion. From Uganda Martyrs Primary School Lubaga to St. Mary’s Boarding School Kitende, Hakim Mutebi was the final piece to complete the puzzle for tactician Morley Byekwaso side.
Hakim brought the mental toughness to the game having replaced former Royal Giants High School starlet Ivan Irinimbabazi just at the start of the second stanza. Hakim came in with that much needed extra desire and maturity to this young side to stage a come back in a game where the Congolese thought they had put out of reach for team Uganda.
At a very young age, Hakim boosts having quite a number of gold medals in his bag already. Having won the USSSA National Boys Championship in Fortportal 2023, he followed it up with the FEASSA Boys Football gold medal the same year in Huye Rwanda. Hakim closed the year by adding the CECAFA under 18 Boys Championship Kenya-2023 trophy to his cabin with an MVP accolade too. How many eighteen year olds can say the same?
Having come through the ranks of football development in the country, and now looking forward to bolster his trophy cabin with the All Africa Games – 2023 gold . Hakim is whole definition of progress, resilience and hardwork.
The USSSA National Boys Football Championship 2024 is just a blink away and the qualifiers are already in top gear in various regions across the country. With Masaka Secondary School the centre stage of this action, who will be the next Hakim Mutebi coming through the ranks?
Meanwhile, the Uganda hippos will continue their pursue for gold with the last hurdle at the 13th African Games on Friday as they take on hosts Ghana who beat Senegal 1-0 last evening.