South Sudan’s Bright Stars under the guidance of Cyprus Besong caused an upset in 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying with a 1-0 win over Uganda in a match played at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
A first half penalty from Tito Okello made the difference as Bright Stars held to a nervy win. Both teams had to play with one man down after Uganda’s Khalid Aucho and Saad Juma were sent off after committing difference offences.
South Sudan were the first to create an opportunity at goal when the ball fell to Sebit Omot after five minutes. He opted to take it on his left foot, but he could only skew it wide of Denis Onyango’s goal.
Allan Okello was blown for an offside call after a quarter of an hour, before seeing Halid Lwaliwa’s cross go out of play.
Stephen Pawar should have made it 1-0 for the Bright Stars ten minutes later after Peter Maker delivered a cut-back in the centre of the box but the Amakat United forward scuffed his shot wide, with only Onyango to beat.
However, it was Tito Okello who got the opening goal through a penalty after he was brought down inside the area by Khalid Aucho as he repaid Besong’s faith by converting from the spot.
South Sudan should have added a second goal on the stroke of half-time after Munyumow Achoi beat the offside trap to go clear on goal on the left flank, but he put too much pace on his pass, which evaded Nicholas Wadada and Disan Galiwango.
Uganda made more urgency in the second stanza as Fahad Bayo came close to equalizing with a header that was saved by goalkeeper Majak Maling from close range.
Despite Aucho’s departure Cranes still dominated after an hour mark as Okello narrowly missed the bottom corner with a snap-shot from the edge of the area, much to the frustration of McKinstry on the sidelines.
Six minutes later Faruku Miya created another opening for Cranes when his low cross from the left was back-heeled narrowly wide from a couple of yards out by Maker.
In the 74th minute Uganda came even closer to finding the equalizer when a left wing cross from Fahad Bayo was deflected goal wards by right-back Mutwakil, but Maling made a fantastic save to touch the effort onto the post.
Emmanuel Okwi should have found the back of the net with ten minutes to go when he met Idriss Lubega cross from the left, but he headed wide under no pressure.
Uganda continued to push forward in the dying minutes of the game, but South Sudan held on for only their first win in Group B of the qualifiers.
Photo Credit: Madgoat TV
