Uganda Cranes avoided digging a deeper pit for themselves as they beat Tanzania’s Taifa Stars in the qualifiers of the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday.
Following Friday’s 1-0 defeat against the same opponent, Cranes mastered the much-needed victory as the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium match eventually ended by the same scoreline.
Rogers Mato came off the bench to net the evening’s only goal at the death to relieve pressure off the team and head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevich.
Micho’s charges now rock the third position with four points, the same as runners-up Tanzania who are ahead via the alphabet. Algeria top the table with 12.
On the evening, the first half was short of a goalscoring threat from either team, with the highlight being a forced break of about 40 minutes, due to a faulty lighting system.
The second stanza wasn’t entirely different, with both goalkeepers on near-holiday.
It was heavily contested yet extremely cagey with no real creativity in the final third of either side until substitute Farouk Miya expertly set up Mato for the winner.
Uganda’s final fate will be sealed in their final two matches slated later in the year in June.
How Uganda lined up
Salim Jamal Magoola (GK), Kenneth Semakula, Halid Lwaliwa, Aziz Kayondo, Timothy Awany, Khalid Aucho, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Joseph Ochaya, Emmanuel Okwi (C), Richard Basangwa, Isma Mugulusi.
Nathan Alionzi, Charles Lukwago, Siraje Ssentamu, Allan Okello, Rogers Torach, Fahad Bayo, James Begisa, Rogers Mato, Rogers Mugisha, Farouk Miya, Steven Mukwala.
Photo Credit: FUFA Media
