2014 WCQ: June 15, 2013
Uganda Vs Angola – Mandela National Stadium, Namboole
Two of familiar African football opponents, Uganda Cranes and Palancas Negras of Angola will once again meet on Saturday June 15 in a do or die 2014 World Cup qualifier clash at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole with the tie evenly poised following the results posted over the weekend.
The Cranes edged Liberia 1-0 in Kampala while Angola and Senegal drew 1-1 to leave the group open.
The two sides are still in contention for a berth at Brazil 2014 as group J appears very tight with all four nations still with a chance to finish top of the group. Kawowo Sports’ Ismael Kiyonga casts an eye on all the previous encounters when there has been rarely a dull moment.
1998 FIFA World Cup qualifiers preliminary round:
First Leg: June, 6 1996: Uganda 0-2 Angola, Kampala:
A Cranes side that had the likes of Saddiq Wassa, Fred Tamale, Magid Musisi, George Ssemwogerere and Ibrahim Kizito among others could not match an Angolan side that had danger man Paulao over two legs losing 2-0 at home and 1-3 away to bow out at the preliminaries on 5-1 aggregate.
Da Silva (35′) and Paulao (60′) scored for the visitors in the first leg at Nakivubo in a game they finished a man less after J Quinzinho was red carded.
Second leg: June, 16 1996: Angola 3-1 Uganda, Luanda:
J. Paulao was still the chief tormentor in the return leg bagging a brace (1′ 58′) while Paulo (7’) scored the other. Ibrahim Kizito (3’) scored an equaliser that later turned into a consolation for Cranes.
2010 Africa Nations Cup Qualifiers group C:
First leg: September 14, 2008: Uganda 3-1 Angola – Kampala
The Cranes registered their first ever win against the Antelopes of Angola in their opening group 3 tie of the qualifiers. Cranes scored through Eugene Ssepuya (6′) Andrew Mwesigwa (18′) and Dan Wagaluka (73′). Pedro Mantoras scored Angola’s consolation in the 90th minute.
Andrew Mwesigwa and Denis Onyango are the only players in the current squad that played in that game. Others players on the team were Nestroy Kizito, Ibrahim Ssekagya, Timothy Batabaire, Johnson Bagoole, Mike Sserumaga, David Obua, Asan Bajope, Eugene Ssepuya, Geoffrey Sserunkuma, Joseph Kabagambe and Dan Wagaluka.
Second leg: June 23, 2008: Angola 0-0 Uganda – Luanda
It was the first time the Cranes kept a clean sheet but unfortunately failed to hit the back of the net. Special credit was however accorded to Batabaire, Onyango and Ssekagya who contained whatever was thrown at them.
Only Geoffrey Massa, Denis Onyango and Andrew Mwesigwa from the current squad featured in that tie.
Group J 2012 Africa Nations Cup Qualifiers:
First leg: September, 4, 2010: Uganda 3-0 Angola:
For the third consecutive time, Angola failed to pick victory over Uganda. The Cranes won the tie 3-0 courtesy of goals by David Obua (36′) Andrew Mwesigwa (58′) and Geoffrey Sserunkuma (80′). It was the second time in a row that Cranes kept a clean sheet against the Palancas Negras.
Denis Onyango, Tony Mawejje, Geoffrey Massa, Andrew Mwesigwa and Godfrey Walusimbi were part of this team.
Second leg: September, 4 2011: Angola 2-0 Uganda:
For the first time since 1996, Angola garnered victory Uganda beating the Cranes 2-0 to keep their hopes of 2012 AFCON finals appearance at bay. Second half goals from Manucho and veteran Amando Flavio condemned Uganda to their first loss of the campaign and Denis Onyango’s goal was breached for the first time. Had Uganda drawn the tie, the Cranes would have qualified with a game versus Kenya to spare.
Denis Onyango, Andy Mwesigwa, Tony Mawejje, Hamis ‘Diego’ Kiiza, Massa Geoffrey and Godfrey Walusimbi who are among the squad preparing for the weekend game played in this encounter.
Group J 2014 World Cup qualifiers:
First leg: June 3, 2012: Angola 1-1 Uganda:
On the opening day of the Road to Brazil campaign, Cranes managed to start with a point thanks to Emmanuel Okwi’s late equalizer after Campos Djalma had given the hosts an early lead. It’s the last meeting between the two nations and the seventh in history.
Eleven players amongst the current squad were part of the team. These are Denis Onyango, Andy Mwesigwa, Henry Kalungi, Godfrey Walusimbi, Tony Mawejje, Mike Sserumaga, Mutumba Martin, Emma Okwi, Denis Guma, Hassan Wasswa and Moses Oloya.
Who will come out on top next Saturday?
