Uganda coach Jackson Mayanja says the Hippos will not be taking South Sudan lightly ahead of their final TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Group B match in Ismailia on Sunday at 8 PM.
The Hippos are joint leaders of Group B with Congo on 4 points each. Mayanja’s charges beat the Central African Republic 2-1 before drawing 2-2 against the Red Devils of Congo.
“People should not think South Sudan is a small nation in football but the team is a good team so we’re taking them as a very serious team,” said the former El Masry ace.
“We should take South Sudan as a nation which qualifies in their true colours.
“In this process we’re in every game is very, very vital for the team and all the teams in the tournament.
“For us we handle the game as it comes because we are on 4 points and we need qualification against South Sudan,” he added.
The former Uganda Crane midfielder was quick to put to bed questions of him and the team being under pressure.
“I’m not the type of coach who has pressure from the game of football like i said if you have pressure in this beautiful game as a coach then you better retire from this game immediately,” he emphasized.
“This is the situation you always have in the tournament but if you have pressure I’m sorry.
“For me this is a game that doesn’t put me under pressure but although this is the kind of thing which happens that is why i always tell my players don’t put pressure on yourself.”
Goalkeeper Oyo Delton was part of the Hippos team that reached the final of the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Mauritania two years ago.
The youngster is yet to get his chance in Egypt but says it’s a collective effort.
“As players we’re ready to fight for our nation and to achieve our dreams as we have been preparing very well and we’re ready to implement the coach’s instructions in the game,” said the soft spoken Oyo.
“I haven’t played any game yet but that doesn’t matter right now because we work as a team and me as a person I always back anyone who is in the goal and give him my prayers and support as well.
“The tournament we lost the first game to Cameroon but that’s in the past this game we’re going in for it tomorrow.”
Uganda and Congo lead the way in Group B with 4 points each while South Sudan are on 3 points and the Central African Republic at the bottom with no point.
*Credit: CAF Media.
