The Cranes were held to a barren draw by the Flames of Malawi in an international friendly match played at Mandela National stadium, Namboole on Tuesday afternoon.
The two nations are in preparations for respective 2015 Africa Nations Cup qualifiers with Uganda hosting Mauritania whilst Malawi plays away to Benin over the weekend.
Kawowo Sports’ Ismael Kiyonga rates the Cranes players that featured in the boring game watched by a few fans.
Robert Odongkara 5.0: The St. George goalie wasn’t troubled for almost the entire game but did well when called upon. Organized his backline well.
Denis Iguma 5.0: He did well defensively but still appears naïve going forward. Nevertheless, he created the game’s best opportunity with a second half ball to Geoffrey Massa which the AmaTuks forward missed.
Godfrey Walusimbi 6.5: The Gor Mahia defender returned to the team for the first time since CECAFA last year and did well. Kept things tight at the back and did well offensively. He made a few good crosses in the area which troubled the Malawian defence.
Isaac Isinde 6.0: He skippered the side in the first half and organized the backline well. Read the game superbly and initiated play from defence. Allowed no space to Malawian strikers and he is one of the reasons the team kept a clean sheet.
Savio Kabugo 5.0: Started at the heart of defence with Isinde but looked panicky even under no pressure. His decision making also left a lot to be desired.
Ivan Ntege 4.0: The diminutive midfielder had a bad day at office. His passing was poor though he intercepted a few moves by the opponents.
Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito 5.0: The dreadlocked midfielder had a silent game in the middle of the pack especially in the first half. Failed to determine the tempo of the game but was amongst the few players who registered a shot on target in a boring game. Unlucky not to break the deadlock in the first half after his effort was cleared off the line by defender Sankhari Mkandawire.
Hamis Kiiza 3.0: Micho continues to play the Yanga striker on the right wing but the more he is played there, the more frustrating it gets for him. There is nothing of note he did in the 45 minutes he spent on the pitch.
Farouq Miya 6.0: The youthful Vipers SC player started the game brightly but faded as the game went on. Started in a number 10 role playing behind Umony but played deeper in the second half after the introduction of Luwagga Kizito and Moses Oloya thus his performance faded.
Brian Umony 5.0: He looked rusty and failed to trouble the Malawian backline as expected. He had a good opportunity in the first half but failed to beat goalie McDonald Harawa.
Joseph Ochaya 3.0: The lanky winger missed a good opportunity to give The Cranes a lead inside ten minutes and was poor for the entire time he was on the pitch. His crossing was poor and so was his decision making.
SUBSTITUTES:
Andrew Mwesigwa 5.0: Came on for Kabugo at the start of second half and hadn’t much to contend with. Nevertheless, lost most of the aerial battles against Malawi’s Joseph Kamwendo.
William Luwagga Kizito 5.0: Came on after recess and added some pace to the boring slow game. He however over carried the ball even when undesired at times.
Brian Majwega 4.0: His runs downs the left flank was a timely ingredient but his decision making on when to pass or shoot on goal meant his performance remained average.
Geoffrey Massa 4.0: His presence kept the Malawian defence on tenterhooks but did nothing to force them into errors. He missed a glorious chance after failing to meet Iguma’s neat cross with only the goalie to beat.
Yunus Sentamu: N/A Came on late for Miya Farouq but had no time to impress.