FT Mali 2-2 Uganda

Mali and Uganda shared the spoils in the second group “D” match played on Tuesday evening at Umuganda Stadium, Gisenyi – earlier at the same venue, Zambia got the better of their bitter rivals and neighbors Zimbabwe, beating them by a goal to nothing.

The Cranes went ahead in the 12th minute through Erisa Ssekisumba’s flicking header from captain Faruku Miya’s gloriously taken free kick from the right sending Umuganda Stadium into celebrations.

Mali response came exactly twelve minutes later when Sekou Koita dazzled with the ball before releasing a stinging shot on the far right post, leaving keeper Watenga Rashid over stretched.

Keziron Kizito’s scorcher in the 32nd minute was well dealt with by The Eagles keeper Djigui Diarra.

Erisa who proved a handful for the Eagles then came down tumbling inside the penalty area after being tagged by Mali defense forcing the ref to point to the spot – Miya Faruku took the chance to inscribe his name on the scorer’s sheet sending Djigui Diarra the wrong way for the second goal in the 40th minute – Uganda Cranes proceeded to the breather heads up.

Cranes skipper Faruku Miya was given an early rest due to injury, he was replaced by Muzamir Mutyaba in the second half.

Mamadou Coulibaly again restored parity for Mali at the hour mark, a perfect reward for the Alain Giresse’s charges who were visibly on the ascendancy.

Precedings thereafter favored no particular team, as the battle for the winning goal bore no fruits. Zambia take charge of the group with three points, while Zimbabwe sit at the bottom – the group “D” action will resume on January 23 with Chipolopolo taking on Mali and Uganda facing Zimbabwe.

@bonfaceosano