Uganda’s dream of reaching the 2015 AFCON finals due in Morocco remains alive after The Cranes marched into the group stages of the campaign.
The Cranes eliminated Mauritania 3-0 on aggregate following an odd 1-0 away win. Neighbours Rwanda, Malawi, Botswana, Sierra Leone and Lesotho also sailed to the groups whilst Tanzania and Kenya’s campaigns were halted.
Kawowo Sports’ Ismael Kiyonga reviews the final pre-group matches played over the weekend.
Mauritania 0-1 Uganda [Agg: 0-3]
Robert Ssentongo scored the only goal of the game as The Cranes earned their first away victory in three years to join group E on a 3-0 aggregate.
Ssentongo; a second half substitute for Luwagga Kizito netted inside two minutes of added time to send the Cranes technical team and the few watching fans into frenzy.
The hosts finished the game a man less after Karamogho Moussa Traore was sent off for a nasty challenge on Isaac Isinde in the 79th minute.
Uganda now join Ghana, Togo and Guinea in group E.
Rwanda 2-0 Congo Brazzaville [Agg: 2-2, Rwanda wins 4-3 on penalties]
Michael Ndahinduka and Meddie Kagere scored in the second half at Nyamirambo stadium to tie the game 2-2 on aggregate following The Amavubi’s 0-2 loss in the first leg. The game had to be decided on penalties and the home team emerged victorious 4-3 in the shootout.
James Tubane, Jimmy Mbaraga, Emery Bayisenge and Patrick Sibomana netted for Rwanda in the shootout and misses by skipper Haruna Niyonzima and Meddie Kagere counted for less as Congo missed three of their kicks.
Kenya 0-0 Lesotho [Agg: 0-1]
Reigning CECAFA challenge Cup champions Kenya suffered a heart break at Nyayo stadium after failing to go past Lesotho. The Harambee Stars who were without coach Adel Amrouche on the bench failed to overturn a 0-1 deficit to bow out 1-0 on aggregate. The result led to FKF’s sacking of the entire technical team.
Mozambique 2-1 Tanzania [Agg: 4-3]
Tanzania’s jinx of getting past Mozambique in an Afcon qualifier continued as The Mambas beat Taifa Stars 2-1 in Maputo to progress 4-3 on aggregate.
Thiago Machaisse Josemar and Elias Pelembe Dominguez netted at the death of each half for the home side while Mbwana Samatta’s 77th minute strike was just a consolation. The two nations had settled for a 2-2 draw in Dar es Salaam two weeks ago.
Guinea Bissau 1-0 Botswana [Agg: 1-2]
Botswana progressed past Guinea Bissau 3-1 on aggregate despite settling for a 1-1 draw away at Estadio 24 Setembro in Bissau.
Ansumane Faty Seidi gave the West Africans hope of overturning a 2-0 first leg deficit by putting them into the lead as early as the 16th minute but all the faint hopes vanished thanks to Jerome Ramatlhakwane equalizer in the 79th minute.
Malawi 1-0 Zimbabwe [Agg: 1-1, Malawi won 4-3 on penalties]
John Banda scored for Malawi in Blantyre but the goal only meant a 1-1 aggregate draw following a loss of a similar score line 14 days ago in the first leg.
The game went to post match penalties which The Flames edged 4-3 to join group B which has Mali, Algeria and Ethiopia.
Here are the groups:
Group A: Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan and Rwanda
Group B: Mali, Algeria, Ethiopia and Malawi
Group C: Burkina Faso, Angola, Gabon and Lesotho
Group D: Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Sierra Leone and DR Congo
Group E: Ghana, Togo, Guinea and Uganda
Group F: Zambia, Cape Verde, Mozambique and Niger
Group G: Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal and Botswana
Note: Sierra Leone progressed without breaking sweat after Seychelles forfeited the match for fear of Ebola.
