CECAFA U18: Morley Byekwaso blames 'muddy pitch' for Uganda's loss to Tanzania

CECAFA U18: Morley Byekwaso blames 'muddy pitch' for Uganda's loss to Tanzania|FUFA IMAGE

CECAFA U18: Morley Byekwaso blames 'muddy pitch' for Uganda's loss to Tanzania

Allan Damba • 10:24 - 27.11.2023

Head coach Morley Byekwaso has attributed the defeat majorly to the unpleasant pitch conditions.

The Uganda U18 team suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to neighbours Tanzania in their opening match of the CECAFA U18 championship on Sunday at the Bukhungu Stadium in Kenya.

Uganda conceded through a William Sharif 15-minute freekick as they struggled all the way and failed to impose themselves on the game.

Tanzania U18's Wilson Sharif celebrating his goal against Uganda U18 | CECAFA Image

Head coach Morley Byekwaso has attributed the defeat majorly to the unpleasant pitch conditions.

"The pitch was too muddy, and it had too much water, and the situation didn't go our way," Byekwaso said in his post-match press interview.

"The rain has disorganized our setup, but we shall have Plan A and B to see that we qualify."

However, Byekwaso is optimistic the team will fare better in their next match against Zanzibar on Wednesday.

"We shall rectify in our training sessions and do the corrections to see that we come back as usual."

"These players are used to such pressure; they have been playing school football and coming into their clubs as young players, so they're used to it."

Uganda U18 team singing the national anthem | FUFA Image

"We shall do our level best as coaches to show them what we want to do and what our nation needs," Byekwaso summed up.

Meanwhile, Zanzibar managed to beat the other group team, Somalia, 1-0, to go joint-top with Tanzania on three points.