Two Ugandans make CAF’s best XI of AFCON U20

Danito NSUBUGA 

Uganda may not have won the tournament but their impact will be remembered for ages. They went as underdogs but cruised up to the finals of Africa’s biggest Under age competition.

Derrick Kakooza will return home with the top scorer’s boot, Morley Byekwaso won the best coach’s accolade and the fair play award was also awarded to Uganda.

Here is the selection of the best players that was compiled by CAF

?? Danlad Ibrahim, Ghana

The Asante Kotoko 18 year old goal keeper conceded only 3 goals across the tournament and 2 of them came in one match against Gambia.

?? Flory Yangao, CAR

The 19 year old Olympic Real de Bangui FC defender put up a spirited show to stop Tunisia in the group match. His team lost 3-0 to Gambia in the quarter finals

?? Blondon Meyapya,  Cameroon

The 19 old Faive Azur de Yaunde FC defender conceded only one goal in the tournament. He led his team up the quarter finals where they got eliminated by eventual winners Ghana

?? Jawra Lamin, Gambia

The second player selected from the bronze winners. They shred CAR 3-0 at the quarter finals and lost to Ghana 1-0 in the semifinals

?? Danlad Ibrahim
?? Flory Yangao
?? Blondon Meyapya
?? Jawra Lamin
?? Aziz Kayondo
?? El Mehdi El Moubarik
?? Lamarana Jallow
?? Chibeb Labidi
?? Abdul Fatawu I.
?? Kakooza Derrick
?? Joffrey Bazie

8/12 participating countries are represented in the #TotalAFCONU20 BEST XI! pic.twitter.com/cRkfAk8Jme

— #TotalAFCONU20 (@CAF_Online) March 6, 2021

?? Aziz Kayondo, Uganda

The Vipers’ roving left back had commanding displays throughout the tournament save for the first 45 minutes of the quarter final against Tunisia. Kayondo has been a mainstay in Morley Byekwaso’s side.

?? El Mehdi El Moubarik – Morocco

Scorer of two goals at the tournament, the midfielder is one of the unlucky chaps to miss their penalties in their elimination by Tunisia at the quarter final stage.

?? Lamarana Jallow Gambia

The only player selected from the bronze winners. They shred CAR 3-0 at the quarter finals and lost to Ghana 1-0 in the semifinals

?? Chibeb Labidi, Tunisia

He represents Club Africain at club level, the 19 year old was Tunisia’s starman until being silenced by Bobos Byaruhanga and co in the semifinals

?? Abdul Fatawu I ,  Ghana

Abdul Fatawu Issahaku must have been the youngest player at the tournament at only 16 years. The Standfast Babies youngster exhibited a high level of maturity whenever in possession of the ball and his passes going forward contributed to Ghana’s success

?? Kakooza Derrick, Uganda

Uganda’s biggest shining star of the tournament, his hat trick against Tunisia will forever be the highlight of this edition. He also emerged top scorer of the showpiece with 5 goals.

?? Joffrey Bazie, Burkina Faso

Scorer of Burkina Faso’s first of their 3-1 rout over Central African republic, the 17 year old led his team up the quarter final stage where they were eliminated by Uganda on penalties .

COACH, Uganda 

Morley Byekwaso Uganda