The result takes Uganda Cranes to nine points but remains second in Group E, just one point below the table leaders Mali,
The Kenya
Football Team, Harambee Stars have held Uganda Cranes in a one-all draw in the
FIFA Qatar 2022 World Cup Qualifiers return leg at St. Mary’s stadium in
Kitende.
In the first opening minutes of the game played on Thursday, both sides created a few scoring opportunities.
However, in
the middle of the match, both teams threatened each other's goal but Kenya created more chances.
In the 20th minute, an effort by Kenya’s Captain Michael Olunga was
cleared by Cranes Keeper Charles Lukwago before Joseph Okumu’s shot was also
saved by Aziz Kayondo. Uganda also missed a chance when defender Bevis Mugabi’s
effort went over the bar.
Uganda’s
coach Micho Sredojević made two
substitutes after half time to boost the team’s creativity. He
introduced Milton Karisa who replaced Steven Mukwala while
Ibrahim Orit replaced defender Aziz Kayondo.
Although
Uganda looked keen to score, the opponents were the luckiest when in the 62nd
minute, Olunga broke the deadlock with a free header off Kenneth Muguna’s free-kick.
Micho made
two other substitutions in Yunus Sentamu and Okello as the hosts started the
quest for an equalizer but the Kenyans were smart to deny Uganda a chance.
In the 88th
minute, Kenya’s Goal Keeper Brian Okoth made a blunder that surrendered an
equalizer to Uganda. Okoth lost possession to Crane’s Fahad Bayo who scored an equalizer.
The result takes Uganda Cranes to nine points but remains second in Group E,
just one point below the table leaders Mali, who will play Rwanda in their
return leg. If Mali wins, it will automatically qualify for the playoffs.
According to the qualifying
format, the team that finishes top of the group will advance to the third
round. In this round, ten teams that top all their respective groups will be
drawn into five home-and-away ties. The winners of each fixture will advance to
the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Engin Fırat,
the Head Coach Harambe Stars said his team had many chances to secure victory
but failed to utilize them.
//Cue in the game was...
Cue out: … it's clear
foul”/
Micho said that his side
played well but they were denied by the opponents who played a defensive game.
//Cue in: I need to give
Cue out: … their full-backs”//
Fahad Muganga
Freelancer