The Taifa Stars of Tanzania have held neighbors Uganda Cranes to a barren stalemate in their second group L AFCON 2019 qualifier at a soggy Nelson Mandela National Stadium on Saturday.
The Cranes had a brilliant start, dominating the opening 20 minutes of the encounter but failed to capitalize on the blunders done by Tanzanian defenders.
The three golden chances missed by Emmanuel Okwi, Farouq Miya and Joseph Ochaya early in the game came back to haunt Uganda who were hoping to continue their perfect start to the campaign.
With Tanzania taking control of the game in the second half, French gaffer Desabre Sebastian was forced to make the first substitution of the game bringing on KCCA’s Patrick Kadu for Joseph Ochaya in the 66th minute.
Instead of the change in personnel giving Uganda an edge going forward, it was instead Tanzania who came close. Taifa stars Captain Mbwana Sammata placed a well-timed shot only for Dennis Onyango to narrowly deny him the goal.
The Taifa Stars once again came close in the 69th minute when Ulimwengu put the ball into the back of the net but the referee had already blown for a free kick.
Tanzania took a clever free-kick leaving Uganda’s captain beaten and stuck to the ground, but lucky not to concede.
Desabre was forced to bring on another attacker with Emmanuel Okwi paving way for Kizito Luwaga with 12 minutes to go.
From there on, it was a to and fro traffic flow. Despite the many chances created, both sides were wasteful and the game remained without a goal until the end.
Tanzania’s gaffer Emmanuel Eminike who was managing his first game in charge of the side got the tactics right and a draw against Uganda is a sign that the side is taking the right path to redevelop the national team.
Opening up about the team tactics, the gaffer revealed their main focus was not to lose points in Namboole, considering Uganda has lost only two competitive games at home in 8 years.
“It has been as an interesting and amazing game. Both sides played well over the 90 minutes. It’s a point we can build on for the next games if we are to achieve our dream. Not many teams pick a point at Namboole but we did. We had an objective and we achieved. I am glad about the players. They had the character and fighting spirit,” he told the press after the game.
On the other hand, Uganda, who were unstoppable under Micho Serodovic, are yet to win a game with their new manager Desabre.
He has lost games to lowly placed sides like Niger, something that hasn’t been taken lightly by Ugandan football fans. To make matters worse, he fielded defenders Joseph Ochaya and Emmanuel Okwi as wingers in his starting eleven against Tanzania, something the fans are blaming for the stalemate despite the pair impressing.
He will have to prove he has what it takes to guide the Cranes in their next game to calm down the nervy fans who are already calling for him to be sacked.
With two games played, Uganda are still leading the log with four points while Tanzania, who are yet to pick up a win, are placed third with two points.
Uganda’s next game will be against second-placed Lesotho while Tanzania take on bottom-placed Cape Verde at home.
The two other nations, Lesotho and Cape Verde will face off on Sunday 9th in Maseru.
Uganda Cranes XI
Denis Onyango (GK), Joseph Ochaya (Patrick Kaddu), Murushid Jjuuko, Emmanuel Okwi (Kizito Luwagga), Khalid Aucho, Denis Iguma, Nicolas Wadada, Godfrey Walusimbi, Hassan Wasswa, Farouk Miya (Edrisa Lubega), Moses Waiswa
Unused Subs
Charles Lukwago, Moses Opondo, Saddam Juma, Allan Kateregga, Yunus Sentamu, Jamal Salim, Isaac Muleme, Timothy Awany, Derrick Nsibambi
Tanzania XI
Aishi Manula (GK), Gadiel Michael Kamagi (Farid Musa Shah), Banda Hassan Abdi, Aggrey Morris, David John Mwantika, Mbwana Samatta, Thomas Ulimwengu (Shaban Iddi Chilunda), Simon Msuva, Hamis Khamis Ramadhan, Frank Damayo (Himid Mao Mkami), Mudathir Abbas
Unused Subs
Benno David Kakolanya, Kelvin Sabato, Ally Mtoni, Rashid Mandawa, Salum Kimenya, Yahya Omari, Vicent Andrew Chikupe, Salum Kihimbwa, Mohammed Abudrahman
(fufamedia images)
