Togo’s decent record against Uganda continued on Saturday with a 1-0 victory over the Cranes in the group E 2015 AFCON qualifier played at Namboole.
Donou Kokou struck the winner for the Sparrow Hawks in the first half and defeat was Uganda’s first at home in 10 years.
Before the tie, Kawowo Sports’ Ismael Kiyonga had underlined five possible key battles that could decide the tie and revisits the game revealing who won each of the five battles.
Andrew Mwesigwa Vs Emmanuel Adebayor
Togo skipper Emmanuel Adebayor might have contributed partly to the big crowds at Namboole but it’s hard to trace his real impact on the game’s outcome.
He looked so relaxed and lost possession easily but his presence on the pitch perhaps intimidated the Cranes backline led by skipper Andrew Mwesigwa who unlike before, was more restricted to defending even when Togo was laid back.
Both players had less impact on proceedings on the pitch besides leadership.
VERDICT: Stalemate
Tonny Mawejje Vs Serge Gakpe
Mawejje struggled to cope with the dynamic Sparrow Hawks midfielders especially in the first half but somehow regained his A game in the second half.
As for Gakpe, he was the chief orchestrator alongside Alexys Romao. His movement on and off the ball was excellent plus his passing was fine.
VERDICT: Serge Gakpe
Geoffrey Massa Vs Serge Ognadon Akakpo
The Cranes joint leading scorer in the qualification campaign was a shadow of himself thanks to largely to Serge Akakpo’s astute defending.
The former France U17 & U19 international was on top of his game never allowing space to the Pretoria University striker.
He kept Massa under his watch for entire 90 minutes and wins this contest hands down.
VERDICT: Serge Ognadon Akakpo
Geoffrey Baba Kizito Vs Jonathan Ayite
Like almost everyone in Cranes midfield, Kizito struggled to assert influence on the game. Kizito struggled to cope with Ayite and the jersey number 11 is the reason skipper Andrew Mwesigwa will miss the return match in Lome on Wednesday.
No wonder, his vision saw him bag an assist for Kokou’s goal with a delightful pass that beat the entire Cranes backline.
VERDICT: Jonathan Ayite
Mulitin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic Vs Tchanile Tchakala
Micho read out a good starting XI but it’s the substitutions that saw him lose this battle. The Serb’s changes were hurried and panicky.
Tchanile got his tactics right as he frustrated The Cranes with a low tempo game and at the end won the game.
VERDICT: Tchanile Tchakala
