A spirited Uganda failed to contain their fancied opponents Cameroon as the Hippos succumbed to a 1-0 loss in their second U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Group A match at Office du Olympique Stadium in Nouakchott.
The match came alive minutes after the half hour mark when danger-man Junior Sunday Jang located the net with a powerful header from Sadiou Ibrahim’s well taken corner.
Cameroon took the game to the Hippos in the early stages but they were unable to create clear-cut opportunities in the 18-yard area.
After a cagey start from Morley Byekwaso’s charges, they got out of their defensive shell midway through the half but they too were not posing any danger to Cameroon goalkeeper Junior Wislow.
Cameroon were playing on counter-attacks in the latter phase of the first stanza and pounced on the 32nd minute as Junior Sunday Jang sent a diving header past Uganda keeper Jack Komakech.
The Indomitable Lions thought they had bagged a second goal on the stroke of half-time after Saidou Aloum dispossessed Keneth Semakula to go clear on goal, however the strike was disallowed for a foul on Abdu Kayondo.
Uganda started to regain control following the slow start to the second stanza, as a header from Ivan Bogere followed by a shot from Musa Ramadhan kept Cameroon on the edge.
The Indomitable struggled to penetrate the Hippos up front with balls from out wide by Kevin Milla inside the closing stages comfortably dealt with by goalkeeper Komakech.
A flurry of late chances went the way of Uganda through Isma Mugulusi, Richard Basangwa and Stephen Sserwanda, but neither were able to hit the target.
The Hippos provided a scare in time added on with a snap shot from the left by Ivan Bogere, but Junior Wislow parried as it ended 1-0 to Cameroon.
