Botswana 1-3 Uganda
A brace from Emma Okwi and a goal by Frank Kalanda is all Uganda needed to register its first ever victory over Botswana in an international friendly match played in Gaborone on Saturday.
The ex-SC Villa and Simba SC striker put his club woes behind him and gave the Cranes the lead as early as the 17th minute after beating two defenders after receiving a brilliant ball from returning Vincent Kayizzi.
Before that, Cranes should have gotten the lead but Geoffrey Kizito’s shot from close range hit the post.
Uganda’s dominance should have resulted in a second goal but Brian Majwega and Richard Kasagga missed good opportunities.
After recess, Micho made three changes bringing on Robert Odongkara, Moses Oloya and Joseph Ochaya for Denis Onyango, Vincent Kayizzi and Brian Majwega respectively.
The move paid dividends as Oloya turned provider five minutes later dribbling past two defenders before laying for Okwi who tapped the ball into the net for his and Cranes second on the day.
The hosts started to pile pressure on the Cranes in search for a goal and later got one through Sembowa’s free kick after Richard Kasagga who put up a gallant performance in the entire game fouled on the 18 yard edge.
Micho later exhausted his substitutions introducing Frank Kalanda for Emma Okwi, Joseph Kabagambe for Hamis Kiiza and Nicholas Wadada for Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito.
From, then Guma moved to central midfield while Wadada moved to the right back position.
As the hosts searched for a late equalizer, Frank Kalanda netted his third Cranes career goal from a rebound after Kabagambe’s shot hit the post.
The Cranes held on to the result till the final whistle. The game is Cranes’ last rehearsal match before facing Senegal in a crunch 2014 World Cup qualifier match in Marrakesh, Morocco next weekend.
Cranes must beat the Lions of Teranga to advance to the final round.
Uganda Cranes Team:
D. Onyango (R. Odongkara), D. Iguma, G. Walusimbi, S. Kabugo, R. Kasagga, H. Wasswa, V. Kayizzi (M. Oloya), G. Kizito (N. Wadada), E. Okwi (F. Kalanda), H. Kiiza (J. Kabagambe) and B. Majwega (J. Ochaya).
UNUSED SUBS:
Hamza Muwonge, Joseph Mpande and Said Kyeyune
