Serbian coach Milutin Micho Sredojevic made a losing start to his second reign at Uganda Cranes following a 2-1 loss to Ethiopia in an international friendly played at Bahir Dar Stadium in Ethiopia on Sunday.
Micho returned to Uganda in July this year with a big reputation, having guided the Cranes to their first Africa Cup of Nations finals in 39 years when they qualified for Gabon 2017.
However, that counted for nothing as Ethiopian scored a goal in each half through Nasir Abubeker and Abel Yelew with Yunus Sentamu getting a consolation three minutes before the hour mark.
After knocking several times on the Cranes door, Ethiopia took the lead in the 11th minute with a low long-range shot by Yelew that gave Isma Watenga no chance.
Uganda were again slow off the mark in the second half as they absorbed pressure from the hosts who were looking to increase their lead.
Cranes coach Micho then introduced Charles Lukwago, Ibrahim Orit and Yunus Sentamu to replace Isima Watenga, Enock Walusimbi and Abdu Lumala respectively in search of an equaliser.
Instead, it was Ethiopia who found the second goal after defender Joseph Ochaya was dispossessed by Yelew who unleashed a powerful shot past Lukwago into the top corner.
However much they tried, Cranes never came close to scoring with Ethiopia’s defence standing firm and fighting for every ball.
But on the 57th minute when Sentamu redeemed himself after several misses with a half-volley strike past Walia Ibex custodian Gebremichael.
Uganda came close to the equaliser in the latter minutes of the match through a pin-point header from Richard Basangwa, but Fasil Gegremichael produced an finger-tip save.
In the end, Uganda lost 2-1 in Micho’s first match and they now prepare to travel to Nairobi where they are expected to arrive on Monday morning for 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kenya.
