2nd January 2014 Build -up Result:
Uganda 3 – 0 Mauritania
Striker, Francis Ronald Olaki scored on his first international game in the famous black –yellow and red national senior team stripes as Uganda Cranes recorded a convincing 3 – 0 home win over Mauritania played almost before an empty Nelson Mandela Stadium, Namboole in Kampala on the second day of the virgin New Year 2014.
Both teams, which played to a dull and barren opening 45 minutes, used the match to test their respective squads ahead of the forth coming Championships of African Nations football tournament that will kick off on the 11th January in South Africa.
Coming into the fixture, Mauritania, who are pooled in CHAN group D alongside Burundi, Gabon and Democratic Republic of Congo were fixed at 142 on the FIFA World ranking table, 56 places below the 86th placed Uganda, the best ranking in the entire East and Central African (CECAFA) Countries.
Before a countable crowd, both teams looked in shape for the task ahead prior the much anticipated 4:00 pm kick-off that was delayed by 10 minutes.
The host team whose national anthem was undone by the poor quality of the available sound stadium sound system looked confident on the ball during the game’s opening stages especially in the midfield where Ivan Ntege and skipper Dennis Iguma dictated play as Joseph Mpande often withdrew from his upfront responsibilities to participate in the midfield chores.
Surprisingly, it was the towering Mauritania’s captain, Moussa Bakayoko , who nearly caused a scare for Uganda in the 20th minute.
A telling defense splitting pass from the skipper met Ba Yacoub , but he was slow to react as was put in check by the physical Cranes’ backline of Richard Kassaga and Savio Kabugo, and goalie, Ismail Watenga, making his first start easily collected the ball in his safe palms.
Center Referee, Dennis Batte ruled out Striker Yunus Sentamu’s well-connected effort from a Vicent Kayizzi cross in the 30th minute for an offside after first assistant, Mark Ssonko had raised the flag, a decision that even surprised the visitors owing to their visual expression.
Uganda’s head coach, Milutin Sedrojevic called in immediate half time changes. In came, Francis Olaki and left Winger, Brian Majwega for the ineffective duo of Joseph Mpande and Said Kyeyune.
The pair reaped instant dividends as Brian Majwega easily beat goal keeper, Fan Cheikh with a harmless free kick from about 30 yards for Uganda’s opener 5 minutes after the half time recess.
10 minutes later, Majwega turned the provider, this time with a corner met by defender Kassaga and a fumbled clearence by the crowded Mauritanian backline was punished by a headed effort from defender Savio Kabugo, making his first National team career goal.
5 minutes later, Olaki, who currently plays club football with local club, Soana put the icing on the host’s already baked cake to cap open his goal account.
Both teams made several changes as the game progressed with Cranes introducing Hassan Wasswa in for Dennis Iguma, who had a decent game in office depite missing action of a competitive match for close to 3 months.
Defender Richard Kassaga was rested for Ronnie Kiseeka, wide right winger, Vicent Kayizzi paved way for Allan Kyambadde while the industrious striker, Yunus Sentamu who worked tirelessly all evening round was replaced by the Simon Okwi.
Mauritania too called in a few changes with the tired looking skipper Bakayoko giving way for Gaye Aboulaye, Sao Abdul replaced Ba Yaccob whereas Idd Hacci was Khazil Maillye’s change.
By the final whistle of FIFA referee, Dennis Batte, majority of the small home crowd was left convinced with the performance of their troops though Head Coach, Micho defied.
“We still have a few aspects to polish up and improve before we set off for South Africa”, Micho revealed to Kawowo Sports in an interview after the game.
Uganda Starting 11: See Individual Cranes Player ratings on the link :[ http://www.kawowo.com/index.php/football/item/16861-cranes-player-ratings-versus-mauritania.html]
Ismail Watenga (Goal Keeper), Julius Ntambi, Isaac Muleme, Richard Kassaga (’83 Ronnie Kiseeka), Savio Kabugo, Ivan Ntege, Dennis Iguma (Captain)- (’83 Hassan Wasswa Mawanda), Vicent Kayizzi Walugembe (’75 Allan Kyambadde), Said Kyeyune (’45 Brian Majwega), Joseph Mpande (’45 Francis Olaki), Yunus Ssentamu (’76 Simon Okwi)
Subs Not Used: Benjamin Ochan and Ali Kimera (Goal Keepers), Martin Mpuuga, Yassar Mugerwa
Mauritania Starting 11:
Fan Cheikh (Goal Keeper), Sy Ibrahim, Li Aziz, Moussa Sakho, Wouhl Akahiadi, Saib Ahmed, Moussa Bakayoko (Captain) – (’63 Gaye Aboulaye), Mohammed Takijouahu, Ba Yacoub (58’ Sao Abdul), Elychahia, Khazil Maillye (50’ Idd Hacci)
Subs Not Used: Bako Souleyman (Goal Keeper), Toure Boubach, Vareyb Chemun, Adadru Niabb, Yaccou Fan
Referees: Dennis Batte (Center Referee), Mark Ssonko (1st Assistant), Musa Balikowa (2nd Assistant) and Massoud Ssali (4th Official)
