Shaban adds positive outlook to Hippos Cosafa campaign

Kampala.

The thinking behind Muhammad Shaban’s selection for the Hippos ahead of Cranes at the Cecafa Championship was to offer him enough playing time with the Under-20 team according to coach Mathias Lule.
The Cranes coaching staff also argued that the tournament would help the players develop better while playing with his age group rather than the senior team after his surprise call up for Afcon.
And at the completion of the Cosafa Under-20 championship a tournament for Southern African countries, it appears as though the decision was the right one particularly with the Chan championship due next month.
The striker scored four goals in as many games to finish as the highest scorer at the 12-team tournament in which the Hippos participated as a guest team.
His final goal came in Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Egypt in the third place playoff game when he headed in a Mustapha Kizza delivery.
This was in addition to the impressive brace against the hosts and holders Zambia in the opening game as well as the poacher’s finish in the 1-1 draw against Swaziland.
His exploits were however not enough for the Hippos to reach the final after losing 6-5 on penalties following a goalless draw in normal time. The Hippos played some good football at times, particularly in the win over Zambia but struggled to impose themselves in the draws against Swaziland and Malawi.