Uganda Cranes earned their second point in the on-going FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers with a hard fought draw against West Africans Mali at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Monday, 6th September 2021.

In a rain marred game, Uganda finished the game with 10 men following a red card to defender Murushid Juuko in the 69th minute.

The visitors dominated possession for long spells of the game but Uganda did not lose their shape at any stage of the game played behind closed doors.

Left back Isaac Muleme tested Mali’s goalkeeper with a venomous free-kick from distance in the opening stanza.

This was followed by a similar attempt from second half substitute Mustafa Kizza in the closing stages of the game.

Kizza had replaced Joseph Benson Ochaya on 66 minutes.

Other players introduced for Uganda Cranes were Innocent Wafula Esimu, Ibrahim Orit, Steven Desse Mukwala and Moses Waiswa Ndohondi.

Uganda Cranes now has two points from two matches played. Mali leads the standings in group with four points while Kenya, like Uganda is also on two points.

Rwanda, the other group E team is bottom with one point.

Uganda Cranes will face Rwanda in the next phase of qualifiers coming in October 2021.