The Uganda Cranes lost to Mozambique 3-1 at the Cairo International Stadium in Group G of the World Cup Qualifiers. Stanley Ratifo and Pedro Santos, who bagged a brace, were on target for Mozambique, although Shaban Muhammad’s goal was only a consolation. Santos scored a direct corner kick in the third minute of play, giving Mozambique a strong start.
Three minutes later, Allan Okello’s tease of a free kick was swiftly headed in by Shaban. After goalie Ismail Watenga mishandled a weak low cross in the 16th minute, Santos gave Mozambique the lead again.
In the 38th minute, Denis Omedi was sent out for a second bookable offence, reducing the Cranes to 10 men. In the third of the extra four minutes, Stanley Ratifo gave Mozambique a three-goal to put Uganda out of the game. At the beginning of the second half, Paul Put made a hasty substitution by replacing Watenga with Nafian Alionzi.
Following Bwomono’s cutback in the 58th minute, Okello attempted to cut the lead in half, but his left-footed effort struck the crossbar. In the 73rd minute, Put substituted Ronald Ssekiganda and Steven Mukwala for Shaban and Bwomono as Cranes pursued the match.
Kenneth Semakula, who had begun as a defensive midfielder, was then forced back to right back once Bwomono withdrew. Ernan Siluane, the goalkeeper for Mozambique, also stopped Aucho’s goal-bound attempt as the clock approached the ninetieth minute. In the 87th minute, Sweden-based Calvin Kabuye took Okello’s place as the final Cranes substitute.
With six points from five games played, the Cranes are now second from bottom on the six-team Group G table as a result of the terrible outcome. On Tuesday, March 25 at Namboole, the Cranes will travel back home to play Guinea.
Uganda Cranes XI; Isima Watenga (Alionzi Nafian), Elvis Bwomono (Ronald Ssekiganda), Aziz Kayondo, Elio Capradossi, Bevis Mugabi, Khalid Aucho (C), Kenneth Semakula, Allan Okello (Calvin Kabuye), Shaban Muhammad (Steven Mukwala), Denis Omedi, Jude Ssemugabi
