Emmanuel Okwi opened the scores in 29th minute and Fahad Bayo sealed it with a second goal in the 66th minute to propel Uganda Cranes on top of the group in the 2021 Afcon qualifier against Malawi at Mandela National Stadium Sunday evening.

The Northern Irishman Jonathan McKinstry did not disappoint the eagerly waiting fans after all as this was his home debut since being appointed Cranes coach at the end of September.

Cranes’ Sunday victory is a just a continuation of a proud home record of only one defeat in the previous 19 Afcon qualifier home games.
The previous two qualification campaigns have also seen the Cranes win four of their six home games with Captain Denis Onyango not conceding a goal. The statistics are two of many in Cranes’ favour including a run of two wins, three draws and a single loss in the past six meetings since 2010 between the two teams.

The Malawi Flames have also not won an away Afcon qualifier in 19 games since 2006.