Total AFCON 2021 Qualifiers (Group B):
Uganda Cranes 0-0 Burkina Faso
South Sudan 0-1 Malawi
Uganda Cranes’ goal-less home stalemate with Burkina Faso at the St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende during round 5 of the Total AFCON 2021 qualifiers leaves the CECAFA giants on the brick of qualification, pending the last away game with Malawi next week on Monday March 29th 2021.
The Cranes staged a gallant display especially in the second half and had midfielder Ibrahim Orit hit the woodwork off Faruku Miya’s corner kick.
The opening stanza had produced half chances through Miya, Patrick Henry Kaddu and Emmanuel Okwi.
At the start of the second half, Orit replaced winger Abdul Lumala and offensive midfielder Moses Waiswa came on for Mike Azira as the Uganda Cranes intensified their raids towards the opposition goal.
Fahad Azizi Bayo took over the place for the injured Patrick Henry Kaddu towards the hour mark.
Uganda Cranes best chance of the game came on 69 minutes when Orit rose highest to nod Miya’s curling corner kick onto the cross bar.
Waiswa’s industriousness had the Cranes raid the opposition although with no breakthrough.
Action between Uganda Cranes and Burkina Faso at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende
Miya twice had an opportunity to score but was fluffed by the Burkina Faso goalkeeper Herve.
Burkina Faso qualified for the finals even with a game to play against South Sudan in Ouagadougou.
Meanwhile, Uganda and Malawi will face off in a grand finale next Monday for the remaining slot.
Malawi beat South Sudan 1-0 in Khartoum to make 7 points. South Sudan bows out of the qualifiers.
Uganda Cranes will resume preparations for the Malawi clash on Thursday ahead of the chartered flight set to depart on Sunday.
Uganda Cranes XI: Dennis Onyango (Goalkeeper – Captain), Nicholas Wadada, Joseph Ochaya, Halid Lwaliwa, Murushid Juuko, Taddeo Lwanga, Abdu Lumala, Mike Azira, Patrick Henry Kaddu, Emmanuel Okwi, Faruku Miya
Changes:
46’ Ibrahim Orit In, Abdul Lumala Out
46’ Moses Waiswa In, Mike Azira Out
58’ Fahad Bayo In, Patrick Henry Kaddu Out
Subs Not Used: Charles Lukwago (G.K), Salim Jamal Magoola (G.K), Ronald Mukiibi Ddungu, Elvis Bwomono, Mustafa Kizza, Allan Okello, Yunus Sentamu, Daniel Isiagi Opolot, William Luwagga
Reactions:
Abdallah Mubiru, Uganda Cranes Head Coach:
We give thanks to Almighty Lord for whatever we have achieved from the game. We had a game where I feel we were unlucky. The players put up a good fight. We tried our best in the game. We knew that even before the game, it would all end in Malawi. We are going back to the drawing board to play for the game away against Malawi. We have to select a better team to face Malawi.
Denis Onyango, Uganda Cranes Captain:
I am very happy for the performance of the team. We lifted out tempo in the second half and created half chances. The introduction of Moses Waiswa and Ibrahim Orit pushed us further in the second half. We still needed this result. It is still in our hands. We need to do ourselves a favour. We need to play total football. We need to carry on the momentum. It is in our hands. We need and must qualify for AFCON finals.
