Uganda Hippos interim head coach Jackson Mayanja has noted that Uganda were ‘deserved winners’ despite the competitiveness of the CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers for the U20 African Cup of Nations.

The Hippos came from a goal down to edge South Sudan 2-1 in the final at Al Hilal Stadium in Khartoum, Sudan on Friday.

Issa Bugembe and Titus Ssematimba’s goals in the 22nd minute and 62nd minute respectively cancelled out Felix Abishai’s 14th-minute goal.

“It has been a very tight and competitive tournament with several teams putting up a strong performance,” Mayanja said after the game before adding.

“Teams like South Sudan were really strong and it is only us that managed to beat them in the entire tournament after fighting hard in the fighting hard.”

“That fighting mentality has been part of us from the word go and I believe we were the deserved winners of the competition.”

“Focus immediately shifts to preparing for the AFCON because it is the pathway to where we want to be ‘the World Cup’,” he added.

The Hippos and South Sudan will represent the CECAFA region at AFCON which will be staged in Egypt.