Uganda Cranes booked a ticket to the 2014 CHAN finals in South Africa thanks to a gallant performance at fortress Namboole Stadium. The Cranes humbled Tanzania’s Taifa Stars 3-1 thanks to a brace from Frank Kalanda and a goal from the spot kick by KCC FC winger Brian Majwega to advance 4-1 on aggregate.
The Cranes completed a double over Taifa Stars after Denis Guma’s lone strike earned the team a rare away win a fortnight ago.
Kawowo Sports’ Ismael Kiyonga caught the game and rates each Cranes’ player that took to the field today. The rating is out of ten and based on personal observation.
HAMZA MUWONGE 7.0:
Unlucky not to keep a clean sheet but had no choice with a brilliantly taken Amri Kiemba goal. He commanded his area well, collected crosses well and was calm on the ball at his feet when called into play.
NICHOLAS WADADA 6.5:
He had a torrid first half against the deadly Mrisho Ngassa and was responsible for the goal Uganda conceded. Nevertheless, he recollected himself in the second half and put up a decent performance.
HABIB KAVUMA 6.5:
He defended well but didn’t provide enough going forward when Cranes were in attack. He had a decent game though.
SAVIO KABUGO 6.0:
He passed a late fitness test to feature in the game but did well. However, on many occasions, he lost possession carelessly and misguided some passes even under no pressure.
RICHARD KASAGGA 8.0:
What a game from the Kiira Young FC defender!!! The big starlet contained the deadly John Rafael Bocco and never allowed him any opportunity to settle on the ball. He had an excellent game indeed.
HASSAN WASSWA 7.0:
Not the best of games for the Cranes’ skipper as he trembled whenever in possession but deserves credit for Cranes third goal as he started the counter attack from Cranes half before passing the ball to Majwega who squared it for Kalanda to calmly slot home.
DENIS GUMA 7.5:
The versatile Cranes star unsettled Taifa Stars midfielders whenever they got possession and also passed the ball well when in possession. On a number of occasions, he linked midfield and defence excellently.
SAID KYEYUNE 7.5:
He had a quite first half as Tanzania’s Amri Kiemba and Athman Iddi bullied him off the ball but passed the ball well. Later withdrawn for Ivan Ntege as Cranes needed to consolidate the win.
JOSEPH MPANDE 8.0:
Like Kyeyune, the Vipers SC midfielder had a quite game in the first half but rose the bar in the second with some good passes linking attack and defence excellently. He was later replaced with Simon Okwi.
FRANK KALANDA 8.5:
The new URA FC signing bagged a brace on his first full cap with two well taken poacher’s goals. He led the line well; unsettled the Taifa Stars rear guard and was handed a guard of honour when subbed late in the game.
BRIAN MAJWEGA 9.0:
The man of the match by all means. From the onset, the KCC FC winger troubled Taifa Stars right back even when the Cranes had scanty possession. In the second half, he took the game to Tanzanians forcing them to concede a penalty which he converted and created the third goal that ended any faint hopes for the visitors.
SUBSTITUTES:
IVAN NTEGE 6.0: Came on for Said Kyeyune and did well by fighting for every ball, kept possession well and also made a few key passes.
SIMON OKWI 5.0: Looked unfit when he came on for Joseph Mpande
LAWRENCE NDUGGA 6.0: Spent only five minutes on the pitch but kept possession well in a bit to waste time in the closing stages of the game.
MULITIN ‘MICHO’ SREDOJEVIC 9.0:
The Serbian Coach has now made it four wins out of four competitive matches since replacing Bobby Williamson. He employed a 4-2-1-3 system which kept on alternating to 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 depending on the match situation something that troubled the visitors. His word at half time was perhaps the turning point for a gallant second half performance by his lads.
