Uganda Cranes have picked a memorable 1 – 0 home victory over the Ghana Black Stars on a moist Nelson Mandela Stadium turf in Kampala on Saturday.
The gallant display of the home team came through an 8th minute goal off Sports Club Victoria University defender Savio Kabugo’s headed effort.
With other group E teams, Togo and Guinea yet to play later in the day, to second to Uganda climbs to second on 7 points a point behind leaders, Ghana.
Kabugo rose highest to connect midfielder, Mike Sserumaga’s curling corner after John Boye’s clearance granted the hosts the opening corner of the game 8 minutes on the clock.
AS Vita striker, Yunus Sentamu who started the game short of full fitness following a sprained ankle sustained earlier in training , was the early bird replacement; limping off for a fresh Gor Mahia diminutive striker, Daniel ‘Muzei’ Sserunkuma.
Four Ugandans suffered the wrath of Sudanese referee El Fadil Mohammed Hussein with cautions for different reasons.
Team skipper, Andrew Mwesigwa was the first booking for a reckless tackle on Majeed Waris.
AS Vita striker, Yunus Sentamu followed suit for a dangerous foul of Ghanaian skipper, Andre Ayew.
Left back, Brian Majwega and Dan Sserukuma were the other booked Uganda Cranes players.
The visitors’ best moments came off Everton star winger, Christian Astu and later in the second stanza from second half change,David Accam (replaced skipper Andre Ayew’s tired legs).
Goal keeper, Denis Onyango stood tallest in between the posts to tame both worrying moments the hosts.
Uganda travels to Morocco for a clash against Guinea (Guinea hosts their games in Morocco due to Ebola scourge).
Cranes’ head coach, Micho introduced Geofrey ‘Baba’ Kizito for an immobile Sserumaga on 65 minutes before a late change when URA striker, Robert Sentongo replaced Portuguese based William Luwagga Kizito at the death in a tactical change.
Ghana’s care taker coach, Maxwell Konadu brought off team skipper, Andre Ayew (plays for Marseille in France) for Celtic’s Mubarak Wakaso before Swedish based David Accam (features for Helsenborg F.C) came in for Everton fast paced winger, Christian Astu.
T.P Mazembe’s Solomon Asante had earlier replaced Parma’s Afriyie Acquah.
A victory for Uganda will book the Pearl of Africa nation a berth to next year’s AFCON finals in Equatorial Guinea.
Team Line Ups:
Starting XI
Denis Onyango (GK), Isaac Isinde, Brian Majwega, Andrew Mwesigwa (c), Savio Kabugo, Tonny Mawejje, Mike Sserumaga, Farouk Miya, William Luwagga Kizito, Geoffrey Massa and Yunus Sentamu
Substitutes:
Robert Odongkara (GK), Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito, Daniel Sserunkuma, Habib Kavuma, Martin Kizza and Moses Oloya.
GHANA XI
Razak Braimah, Harrison Afful, Baba Rahman,John Boye, Jonathan Mensah Rabiu Mohammed Christian Atsu,Afriyie Acquah, Majeed Waris Agyemang Badu, Andre Ayew
Courtesy of KAWOWO
