Uganda Cranes drew one of their two build-up matches ahead of the African Nations Championship finals (CHAN) against Gabon 1-1 on Sunday at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru, Jinja.
In a game that had KCCA defender Timothy Awany get his Cranes’ debut but this time as a holding midfielder.
Uganda struggled most of the time to impose themselves but the zeal and determination to put up a show that left a handful of fans in Jinja optimistic.
Bernard Muwanga who made his international debut as a holding midfielder against Sudan away from home in the CHAN Qualifiers was switched to his natural position in central defense alongside Richard Kasagga
The duo showed a lot of discipline and exhibited leadership skills, something that has been lacking in this Cranes’ side of home based players for some time.
Muwanga and Kassaga commanded their colleagues well and their game reading and ability to dominate aerial ball troubled Gabon.
Keziron Kizito was the other midfielder alongside Awany and the duo played behind skipper Farouk Miya, Caesar Okhuti, Erisa Sekisambu and Robert Ssentongo.
Denis Okot and Joseph Ochaya played at the right and left flanks respectively. Unlike the former who seems to grow in stature as the wing back, his counterpart still struggles with mastering his movement on the left.
After 33 minutes the Cranes found a breakthrough, a Sekisambu header off a beautifully delivered cross by Okot.
The buildup to the goal was the best the Cranes got to being comfortable at their own backyard in a game custodian Ismael Watenga did more than enough to deny the Gabonese.
The best goalkeeper from the 2015 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup pulled off match winning saves in a game his backline was exposed, by far Uganda’s man of the match.
Awany showed signs of recklessness in midfield and it wasn’t until Ivan Ntege was introduced in place of Sekisambu that the middle of the park stabilized.
Trying to maintain his backline, coach Micho Sredejovic made changes offensively with Francis Olaki coming for Okhuti, Muzamir Mutyaba for Miya, Frank Kalanda for Ssentongo and Isaac Muleme for Kizito.
Watenga also made way for Mathias Kigonya and with nine minutes to full time, the visitors found a breakthrough Romuald Ntsitsigui Ewouta’s effort after the Uganda defense failed to deal with a corner the was delivered by Rodrigue Moundounga.
However, that didn’t take away the fact that Uganda were able to hold their nerves against a side that was more hungry than they were.
Uganda’s next friendly is on Wednesday against Cameroon at the same venue before they depart for Rwanda on January 17 ahead of their opening game against Mali on January 19 at the Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu, Gesenyi.
Uganda Cranes XI: Ismail Watenga (Mathias Kigonya), Dennis Okot, Joseph Ochaya, Benard Muwanga, Richard Kasagga Juuko, Timothy Dennis Awany Keziron Kizito (Isaac Muleme), Erisa Ssekisambu (Ivan Ntege), Faruku Miya (Muzamil Mutyaba), Ceasar Okhuti (Francis Olaki), Robert Sentongo (Frank Kalanda)
Unused Subs: Hassan Wasswa Dazzo, Ambrose Kirya
AFRICAN NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP
When: January 16 – February 6
Where: Rwanda
POOLS
Group A: Rwanda, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Gabon
Group B: DRC, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Angola
Group C: Tunisia, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria
Group D: Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Mali
Opening Group Fixtures
Saturday, 16 January 2016
Rwanda vs. Ivory Coast (Amahoro Stadium, 15:00)
Gabon vs. Morocco (Amahoro Stadium, 18:00)
Sunday, 17 January 2016
DR Congo vs. Ethiopia (Huye Stadium, 15:00)
Angola vs. Cameroon (Huye Stadium, 18:00)
Monday, 18 January 2016
Tunisia vs. Guinea (Kigali Regional Stadium, 15:00)
Nigeria vs. Niger (Kigali Regional Stadium, 18:00)
Tuesday, 19 January 2016
Zimbabwe vs. Zambia (Rubavu Stadium, 15:00)
Mali vs. Uganda (Rubavu Stadium, 18:00)
