Uganda coach Mayanja lauds his players after CAR win

Uganda coach Jackson Mayanja was full of praise for his youngsters following their 2-1 victory over the Central African Republic (CAR) at the TotalEnergies U20 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.

The Hippos got their campaign off to a bright start with the win over CAR at the Suez Canal Stadium in the Egyptian city of Ismailia.

Second-half goals from captain Isma Mugulusi and John Paul Dembe fired Uganda ahead before Boris Gbenou pulled a goal back in stoppage time to make for a nervy finish.

"My lads played a good game and the first game is not always easy at big tournaments like this. It's a big stage for the players and we won against a good team," Mayanja said at his post match press conference.

"Like I said this is a big stage and most of these boys in the team this is their first time to play at this stage. We were a bit shaky in the first half and we were collected in the second half."

The Hippos dominated possession with Rogers Mugisha and Titus Ssematima pulling the strings in midfield.

"The big stages are always difficult in the first match but as we go we will get better. We have a lot to deliver but expression wise some of them did that today," Mayanja added.

The victory sends Uganda to the top of Group B ahead of the second fixture of the group between South Sudan and Congo.