Uganda local based players national football team played out a barren stalemate with the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening match of the 2022 African Nations Championships (CHAN).
The result at the 19 May Stadium, Annaba on Saturday implies that the Cranes have a tougher task if they’re to realize their goal of making the knockout stages.
Head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic‘s charges have never played the aforementioned stage despite this being their sixth successive participation in the competition.
At Annaba, both sides struggled to create valuable goalscoring opportunities in the first half, as the game, which was more of a physical contest, sailed at a snail’s pace.
Uganda’s only real threat came in the 35th minute through a Moses Waiswa freekick, which agonizingly went over the bar.
There was a bit more urgency in the second half from the Cranes, yet again, there wasn’t a whole lot to report in terms of chances created.
In the 66th minute, captain Milton Karisa had a rare sight at goal, but his low drive was off the mark, as both sides settled for a point.
Micho and his troops will hope to make amends in their second group match against Senegal on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, on the same day DRC will take on Ivory Coast at the 19 May Stadium, Annaba.
HOW UGANDA LINED UP
Nafian Alionzi (GK), Ashraf Mandela, Derrick Ndahiro, Gift Fred, Geoffrey Wasswa, Moses Waiswa, Marvin Joseph Youngman, Karim Watambala, Milton Karisa (c), Frank Sebuufu, Rogers Mato.
SUBSTITUTES:
Jack Komakech, James Begisa, Hillary Mukundane, Travis Mutyaba, Titus Ssematimba, Nelson Senkatuka, Moses Aliro, Bright Anukani, Ibrahim Orit, Joel Mutakubwa, Isa Mubiru, Kenneth Semakula.
Photo Credit: FUFA Media
