Uganda Cranes were on Tuesday defeated 1-0 by Togo in an international friendly match at the Kegue Stadium in Lome,Togo.

Atakora Lalawele ,scored the only goal of the match  in the opening half to seal a win for the Western African Nation.

Uganda enjoyed good spell of possesion and slowly got into the game but failed to create clear-cut chances.

On the other hand, they had to defensively alert to prevent conceding a second to the Togolese.

In the second half, the Cranes improved and went for the leveller but their opponents defended in numbers to stop Cranes attack led by Denis Iguma.

The best opportunity for Cranes fell to Yunnus Sentamu in the 77th minute.

He received a lovely pass from Dennis Iguma but his volley was saved by Togolese goalie.

It was a harsh lesson for Uganda and evidence of the gap they must bridge before facing Ghana on Friday 7th October 2016 in their FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifying match.

Cranes emerged from this friendly with little credit as they looked in awe,sitting back as the passing ‘coreusal’ constructed by players of the predigree of Atokora Lalawele and Emmanuel Adebayor weaved its way around them.

If Uganda can make something out of this defeat,it is that this was a brutal example of what they need to overcome if they hope to make an impact in road to Russia.

Togo XI

Kossi Agassa – Djene Dakonam, Alaixys Romao, Sadate Ouro-Akoriko, Maklibè Kouloun – Ihlas Bebou, Lalawele Atakora, Henritsè Eninful, Matthieu Dossevi, Razak Boukari – Emmanuel Adebayor

Uganda XI

Salim Jamal – Nicholas Wadada, Geoffrey Walusimbi, Isaac Isinde, Mriisha Juuko – Hassan Wasswa, Luwagga Kizito, Dennis Iguma – Geoffrey Massa, Khalid Aucho, Farouk Miya.