International Friendly
Uganda 1-1 Gambia
AFCON 2017 QUALIFIER – Saturday
Uganda v Botswana
Venue: Namboole Stadium
Charges: 20,000/-, 50,000/- and 120,000/-
Coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic says he will pick positives from Tuesday’s (yesterday) friendly encounter against Gambia at Namboole stadium.
Micho saw a wasteful Cranes side draw 1-1 ahead of Uganda Cranes first 2015AFCON qualifier game against Botswana on Saturday; however the Serbian tactician remains hopeful.
“I saw good things; we created enough chances and that’s a positive am carrying into Saturday’s game,” Micho told the media at Namboole.
Cranes took the lead in the 62nd minute thanks to some brave play from substitute Brian Umony who rose higher to beat Gambian custodian Modou Jode to the ball, nodding down for striker Robert Ssentongo (also substitute) to score.
While Gambia got the equalizer from substitute Omar Jagne in the 84th minute after Cranes defender Shaffik Bakaki lost possession failing to control the ball.
Cranes missed numerous chances in either half of the game, striker Farouk Miya missed a sitter from a Alex kakuba cross, the Portugal based defender also set-up skipper Geoffrey Massa who was denied by Gambian’s goalkeeper Jode.
A minute later Miya shot wide before Kakuba sent in another inviting cross, only for striker Yunus Ssentamu to head the ball on the woodwork.
Ssentamu had another opportunity to make it 1-0 but it was Jobe who denied him, the resulting corner from Brian Majwega met Kahlid Aucho whose short cross was connected by Ssentamu’s head but still Jode was in the right place.
Before the interval, there was a scary moment when Cranes first choice goalkeeper Dennis Onyango collided Gambian defender Barry Hamza, both required treatment for over 10 minutes.
Cranes will kick off the 2017AFCON qualifiers against Botswana this Saturday at Namboole Stadium
Uganda Starting XI: Denis Onyango, Denis Iguma, Alex Kakuba, Isaac Isinde, Richard Kassaga, Derrick Tekkwo, Yunus Sentamu, Khalid Aucho, Geoffrey Massa, Farouk Miya, Brian Majwega
Gambia Starting XI: Modou Jode, Barrow Modou, Carayul Mustapha, Nyassi Sanna, Marreh Sulayman, Mutarr Nyang, Ibou Omar Touray, Bubacarr Sannen, Ousman Koli, Dauda Ngum, Barry Hamza
