Uganda lost 2-1 to visiting Madagascar in a friendly match played at StarTimes Lugogo Stadium Wednesday.

KCCA midfielder Muzamiru Mutyaba put the Cranes in the lead in the first half but a brace from Rio Carlous Anoriananicinos in the second stanza tilted the scale in favor of the Islanders.

Cranes used the tie to gauge themselves and sharpen ahead of Saturday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying Group E match at Nelson Mandela Stadium, Namboole.

The team will resume training at the match venue today (Thursday). They are likely to encounter poor conditions after a prayer rally was staged there last night.

Meanwhile, the Black Stars, who have been camping in neighboring Kenya, will leave for Kampala today.

Uganda are two points behind Egypt in the chase for the single group’s ticket to Russia and must win against the 2014 qualifiers to keep their dreams a live.

A win for the Pharaohs, who take on Congo Brazzaville on the same day, could see them through for the first time since Italy 1990.