International Build Up: Tuesday, 9^th June 2015:

Uganda Cranes 1-1 Gambia Scorpions

Uganda Cranes and the Gambia Scorpions have shared the spoils at 1 goal apiece in the international build up fixture played on Uganda’s Heroes’ day (Tuesday, 9th June 2015) at  the Nelson Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, Kampala.

After a barren opening half of the game, that witnessed the home side missing a series of chances through Yunus Sentamu, Geofrey Massa and Farouk Miya, the game was lit up in the second stanza.

Second half substitute, Robert Ssentongo nodded home past goal keeper, Jobe Modou at the hour mark following a brilliant set up by fellow second half replacement, Brian Umony.

Another substitute, Omar Jagne, who had come in for Middlesborough winger, Mustapha Carayul canceled Sentongo’s opener, benefiting from Shafik Bakaki’s indecisiveness to pass the ball out of defence.

The international build up comes barely four days to the two team’s AFCON 2017 openers where Uganda hosts Botswana and Gambia travels away to South Africa.

Cranes head coach, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sedrojevic named 9 professional based players who started the game with only two home players – Derrick Tekkwo and Farouk Miya.

Yunus Sentamu hit the goal bar in the 21^st minute after Massa’s pin point cross from the left. There were other close misses from Farouk Miya and Massa the lead forward.

Mamelodi Sun Downs shot stopper, Denis Onyango was named ahead of St George’s Robert Odongkara in the goal posts. Denis Iguma played at right back role with Alex Kakuba deployed on the left.

Isaac Isinde and Richard Kasagga commenced the game in the central midfield department with two defensive minded midfielders, Aucho Khalid and Derrick Tekkwo sitting in the ‘hole’ behind the attacking midfielder, Faruk Miya.

Tekkwo started his second game for the senior side, The Cranes since his impressive debut against Nigeria in the March 2015 International build up played at Ibom State.

Bloemfontein Celtics newly acquired forward, Geofrey Massa and CS Safien’s Yunus Sentamu led the line  as Azam F.C left winger, Brian Majwega orchestrated the left wing attack.

Micho later called for several changes.

St George goal keeper, Robert Odongkara, team mate, Brian Umony, the Uganda Revenue Authority duo of Yasser Mugerwa and Robert Ssentongo were introduced shortly after the half time recess coming in for Denis Onyango, Yunus Sentamu and Derrick Tekkwo respectively.

Later, Farouk Miya was replaced by defender Shafik Bakaki as Geofrey Massa paved way for Boban Zirintusa in the coming stages of the game.

Micho’s counterpart at Gambia, Raoul Savouy himself made a couple of changes as the game progressed.

Additional reporting Kawowo

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com