Uganda hippos head coach says they played poorly at the back in their last friendly game against Tanzania on Saturday evening.

The hippos lost 5-3 to a hungry Tanzania that looked more sharp upfront than the one they had earlier, in the week, beat up on 1-0.

Abdul Suleiman was the star of the show, netting a hat trick for Tanzania while captain John Kelvin and Kassim Shaban each scored once.

For Uganda, Derrick Kakoza, Ivan Bogere and Sam Ssenyonjo all scored on a disappointing afternoon.

This was the Hippos last friendly game as they gear up for the AFCON Tournament in Mauritania later Month.

“We didn’t start well in the game, they (Tanzania) came for a win since we had beaten them in the previous two encounters. Byekwaso said.

“The referee gave out two goals to them which killed the first minutes, but the last three goals were okay. Our defenders lost the ball on three occasions, costing the team.

Byekwaso added that they have more work to do on the defence in the last days.

“We need to work on the defence, we have and will continue to engage the players on how to handle different situation while at the back.

“We were poor at the back yet we have not been playing that way. We undermined the team hence costing us.

“We need to work on the defence in the last days before the final tournament.”

The Hippos will be now heading for the final AFCON U20 to be held in Mauritania between February 12th and March 6th.

At the finals, the Hippos are drawn in group A alongside hosts Mauritania, Cameroon and Mozambique.