Cranes Restores Mathematical Hopes For Uganda

Uganda Today: Had it not been the absurdity of Uganda playing its home tie with Tanzania far north in Egypt, devoid of the home ground 12th player they lacked, perhaps it would have been a different story to tell now.!

Uganda 1 Tanzania 0

Rogers Mato scored a late winning goal for Uganda Cranes to shoot down Tanzania’s Taifa Stars 1-0 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam last evening.

The win, Uganda’s first in Group F takes the Cranes level on four points with Taifa Stars in joint second behind already qualified Algeria while Niger is bottom with two.

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In a fixture Uganda had to win, Mulitin Sredojevic made four changes and put up a more attack-minded eleven than he did in the first game four days in Ismailia when the Cranes lost 1-0.

Jamal Salim had to be at his best to deny Simon Msuva in the opening exchanges and the defence on three occasions did well to stop him, Mbwana Samatta and Abdul Suleiman who was on fire through the game.

The Taifa Stars were then dealt a blow when left-back Mohamed Hussein and midfielder Himid Mao went off injured and Micho made more offensive changes.

Travis Mutyaba and later Miya and Steven Mukwala joined match-winner Mato from the bench and the Turkey-based midfielder with his first involvement set up the KCCA striker for the winner.

Uganda will resume the hunt for a qualification slot in June with a home game against Algeria before completing the campaign away to Niger.

How they lined up: 

Uganda Cranes XI: Salim Jamal Magoola (GK), Kenneth Ssemakula, Abdu Aziz Kayondo, Halid Lwaliwa Timothy Awany, Khalid Aucho, Bobosi Byaruhanga substited by Miya at 88’, Isma Mugulusi substited by Mukwala at 88’, Richard Basangwa substituted by Bayo at 63’, Emmanuel Okwi substituted by (C) Mato at 63’, Joseph Ochaya substituted Mutyaba at 76’