This Saturday 31st May 2014, Uganda takes on Madagascar in the second leg of the 2015 Morocco AFCON qualifier at Namboole stadium.
Kawowo sports’ Michael Mugote Bryson presents to you some of the facts you need to know before you travel to watch the game in which Uganda Cranes need to win 1-0 to advance to next round.
1. No extra time. The epic game between the Cranes of Uganda and the Barea stars of Madagascar won’t proceed to extra time if the sides level on aggregate. That is to say, in case Uganda wins 2-1 after 90 minutes to make a 3-3 score on aggregate, the Egyptian referee Farouk Mohamoud will straight away opt for penalty shootouts.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) indicated that in each of the qualifying rounds, teams were drawn to play each other on knockout basis, ahead of group stages.
Each tie is to be played on a two-legged basis (home and away). But if the sides level on aggregate after the 2nd leg, the away goals rule is applied. Thus, if Uganda Cranes win 1-0 the aggregate will also be leveled on 2-2 but Cranes’ away goal will play a vital role to aid them advance to 2nd round.
2. Madagascar and Uganda have both conceded many goals. Madagascar has conceded 31 goals and scored only 10 in 6 years while its counterpart, Uganda, has scored 36 and conceded 30 in two years.
3. Referees from Egypt will handle the game. FIFA referee Mohamed Farouk Muhamoud will be in the center field at Namboole Stadium. Muhamoud officiated Uganda in a World Cup qualifier game played in Free town against Liberia in early 2013. He will be assisted by Ahamed Abou Elela and Ahamed Saha Hasaneen as first and second assistants respectively, whilst Mohamed Abud Elmenen Hanafy will be the game’s 4th official.
4. Cranes’ Coach Milutin Sredojevic will be handling his first game in the second and final year of his contract. The Serbian tactician was unveiled as the new Cranes coach in April last year on a two year deal. He replaced sacked Bobby Williamson.
5. Mutumba and Ssentongo cerebrate birthdays. The game will be played on Saturday 31st May 2014, just five and twenty days away to Martin Kayongo Mutumba and Robert Ssentongo’s 29 and 26th birthdays respectively. Mutumba who piles his trade with Turkey top flight Tranzepor club was born on 14th June 1985, while Ssentongo was born on 5th June 1988 in Mulago hospital. Goalie Ismael Watenga will turn 20 on 15th-June.