Uganda Cranes have kept their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualification hopes alive after a hard fought 1-0 win against South Sudan in a match played on Friday night at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, Namboole.
Cyprus based defender Bevis Mugabi scored the lone goal two minutes after the interval when he finished off a rebound after the South Sudan defenders failed to clear their lines off a corner.
In a closely contest game played under the floodlights, Bevis Mugabi’s sole strike in the second half eventually separated the two teams.
Uganda started the better side and created several chances with Rogers Mato, Denis Omedi and Jude Ssemugabi all coming close in intervals.
However, South Sudan defended resiliently to keep Uganda at bay in the opening 45 minutes.
Uganda coach Paul Joseph Put made some changes and the hosts pushed forward in the second half, the South Sudan team defended for longer spells.
Substitute Allan Okello who came on alongside Bobosi Byaruhanga just after the break in place of Travis Mutyaba and Ronald Ssekiganda respectively provided the much needed spark.
Okello’s short corner kick was well received by Omedi who returned the pass to the former and Mugabi was well stationed to connect home after South Sudan’s goalkeeper had saved the initial headed effort from Ssemugabi.
Despite efforts from South Sudan to salvage a point in the closing stages, Uganda Cranes defended resiliently to bag all three points.
Defender Halidi Lwaliwa had to make a goal line clearance to deny South Sudan deep in stoppage time.
The win takes Uganda to seven points in Group K after their earlier matches that saw them draw 2-2 away to South Africa and a 2-0 home win against Congo Brazzaville.
Uganda and South Africa are now lead group K on seven points apiece while Congo and South Sudan have three and zero points respectively.
“Derby games are never easy because they don’t respect class, form or any kind of supremacy. They are normally decided by minor details and most importantly the team that wants to win more than the other takes the day. Congratulations boys for this result. Now let us take it to them and make it 6 points after the 180 minutes.”Hon. Moses Hassim Magogo FUFA president noted immediately after the game.
Uganda and South Sudan will face off again next week on Tuesday October 15 at Juba Stadium.
In the other matches played by CECAFA teams on Friday night, Kenya suffered a 4-1 defeat away to Cameroon, while Rwanda also lost 3-0 away to Benin.
Vincent Aboubakar netted from the spot, while Martin Hongla, Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Mouyang Bassong netted for the home side in the Group J match at the Japoma Stadium. Skipper Micheal Olunga scored the lone goal for Kenya.
Meanwhile Rwanda played against Benin away in a Group D match, the home side scored through Steve Mounie, Andreas Hountondji and Hassane Imourane to secure a 3-0 win.
Fulltime results for the CECAFA Zone teams
Ghana 0 Sudan 0
DR Congo 1 Tanzania 0
Burkina Faso 4 Burundi 1
Benin 3 Rwanda 0
Uganda 1 South Sudan 0
Cameroon 4 Kenya 1
