History is an important aspect in life as it helps us understand the past. Some philosophers argue that without knowing our past, it’s difficult to predict the future and sometimes determine the present.
Last weekend on April 27, the draw for the 2015 Africa Nations Cup qualifiers was conducted in Cairo, Egypt presenting Uganda with an opportunity to renew acquaintances with old foes Ghana, Togo and Guinea.
Nevertheless, the Cranes must first negotiate two preliminaries if they are rub shoulders with the West Africa nations. Madagascar comes first and the winner between Mauritania and Equatorial Guinea lurking in the final preliminary round.
Kawowo Sports’ ISMAEL KIYONGA revisits the 2002 AFCON qualifying campaign in which Uganda faced Togo and Guinea (likely opponents) and former giants Senegal.
Let’s get started:
Match Day 1
Uganda 3 -1 Guinea & Senegal 0-0Togo
Uganda Cranes started on a bright note beating Guinea 3-1 in a match played at Nakivubo War Memorial stadium. The win was inspired by a Mu-Mu attack with Hassan Mubiru netting a brace whilst Andrew Mukasa scored the other.
Mubiru opened the scoring on the 14th minute mark before adding the other on the half hour mark. Guinea got one back before half time through Pascal Feindouno but Mukasa sealed the win with a 77th minute goal.
In the other group game, Togo held Senegal in their own backyard with a barren score line.
After match day one, Uganda led the group on 3 points followed by Senegal and Togo on 1 while Guinea had none.
Match Day 2 6-8 Oct 2000
Togo 3-0 Uganda & Guinea 1-0 Senegal
Match day two saw Uganda pay a courtesy visit to Togo in Lome while Guinea hosted Senegal. Togo thumped Uganda 3-0 thanks to strikers from Tadjou Salou, Kader Cougbadja and Kossi Noutsoudje.
With Guinea beating the Lions of Teranga 1-0 in Conakry, Togo now led the group on four points with Guinea (3pts) and Uganda (3pts) and Senegal (1pt) following in that order.
Match Day 3 Jan 12-14, 2001
Uganda 1-1 Senegal & Guinea 0-0 Togo
Uganda played hosts to Senegal on match day three with the West Africans taking an early lead at Nakivubo courtesy of a Thiaw Pape goal. Uganda had an opportunity to level from the spot but Abubaker Tabula’s kick hit the post. Nevertheless, Uganda got another opportunity to score from a penalty and this time Mathias Kawesa made no mistake but send Tony Silva the wrong way for Uganda’s equalizer.
Meanwhile, Guinea and Togo played to a goal less draw in Conakry thus Togo maintained group 5 leadership on 5pts, Guinea 4pts, Uganda 4pts and Senegal 2pts in that order.
Match Day 4 Mar 23-25, 2001
Senegal 3-0 Uganda & Togo Vs Guinea cancelled as Guinea was disqualified
It’s on match day four that things started to fall apart for Uganda Cranes as they lost 3-0 away to Senegal and also lost three points for the Guinea win after the side was banned by FIFA and thus all results against them were nullified.
El Hadji Diouf bagged a brace while Henri Camara scored the other to ensure Senegal earned their maiden victory of the campaign.
Guinea’s disqualification turns the table against Uganda but resurrected Senegal
Having beaten Guinea in their opener, Uganda lost three points, Togo lost one (for a draw) whilst Senegal lost none since they had lost their game against Guinea.
Now the table appeared like this <> Senegal 5pts, Togo 4pts and Uganda 1pt.
Match Day 5 Uganda 0-3 Togo June 2, 2001
With Cranes having a minimal chance of qualification, they failed to seize the opportunity when they lost to Togo 3-0 at home. Kader Cougbadja was the chief tormentor of the Cranes scoring a brace and assisting the other.
The result ensured Togo qualified for the finals alongside Senegal who had an unassailable lead at the top with two teams having a game in hand albeit against each other.
Match Day 6 Togo 1-0 Senegal June 17, 2000
In the final group game, Togo beat Senegal 1-0 in Lome to finish top of the group with second in number two.
Uganda was left to curse FIFA for disqualifying Guinea and another opportunity to feature in the finals since 1978 went in smoke.
12 years since then, Uganda has never qualified for the finals and are hoping 2015 is the year the jinx will be broken.
FINAL GROUP 5 STANDINGS:
Togo 7pts
Senegal 5pts
Uganda 1pt
Why Guinea was disqualified
Guinea has been disqualified from the competition after being banned from all international competitions by FIFA after a government interference into the Football Association affairs which is not allowed after FIFA rules.
