Uganda Cranes’ vice captain Joseph Ochaya says the injuries suffered by captain Farouk Miya and goalkeeper Ismael Watenga during the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) game against Mali on Tuesday disorganised them.
Uganda got the lead through Erisa Sekisambu early on the first half off a Miya free-kick before Sekou Koita leveled matters with a powerful left shot.
After Miya had given Uganda the lead from 12 yards, he was fouled in the area dislocating his shoulder in the process and after halftime he was replaced by Muzamir Mutyaba.
Then midway the second half, Watenga tore a muscle in his right thigh while taking a goal kick.
“We were leading at the time Miya got injured, and there was pressure to maintain that lead,” Ochaya said in a post match press conference.
“Unfortunately, Watenga also got injured and that disorganised us the more, before we could settle, Mali equalised but we managed to pull through,” he added.
It’s not yet clear whether Watenga and Miya will be fit to face Zambia on Saturday in Uganda’s second game of the group stages.