CHAN 2016 Group D:
Uganda 1-1 Zimbabwe
Zambia 0-0 Mali
Prior the last Group D match at CHAN 2016, Uganda Cranes needed two big results in their favour. An out right victory over Zimbabwe and for Zambia to defeat Mali.
Unfortunately, none happened and the Uganda Cranes are officially eliminated from the tournament played by locally based players.
In the team’s last Group D match played at the Umuganda stadium in Rubavu on Wednesday under floodlights, the team drew 1 all with the Zimbabwe Warriors.
At the Kigali Regional Stadium, Mali and Zambia played to a goalless draw.
Harare City F.C forward, William Manondo scored for the Warriors three minutes after the break before second half substitute, Geoffrey Sserunkuma headed home the equalizer for the Cranes in added minutes.
The opening 45 minutes of the match played under chilly conditions ended goalless as either countries started on a low tempo with a cautious game plan.
Vipers forward, Erisa Ssekisambu tested the Zimbabwean defence early in the game but his 5th minute effort was deflected for a fruitless corner.
Ochaya had a 20 yards shot run high and over the bar as the Cranes suffered an injury scare when Isaac Muleme limped out before returning.
Cranes’ skipper, Farouk Miya curled a free-kick direct to goalkeeper, Tatenda Marshal’s hands a minute to the half hour mark before Zimbabwe earned their first corner in the counter.
Miya missed granting Micho’s side the lead as he shot directly at the goalkeeper in yet another chance. Ochaya had the final chance for the Cranes in the 40th minute, driving an attempt from distance wide.
Zimbabwe’s lanky forward, Rodreck Mutuma missed from inside 10 yards with a Alitho to beat. Three minutes after restart, there was hesitation in the Cranes’ backline, easily capitalized on by the pacy Manondo who slotted it home past Alitho from close range.
Seven minutes later, Zimbabwe head coach Callisto Pasuwa then called for the first change of the game in the 55th minute. Rodreck Mutuma paved way for Moses Demera.
Meanwhile, Micho then went for an offensive option, withdrawing central defender, Richard Kasagga for striker Samson Ceasar Okhuti.
The change meant Timothy Awany pulled back to leave Ivan Ntege as the only defensive midfielder.
Ochaya was drifted to the left back role and Muleme pushed forward to left attack.
Okhuti had a chance shortly after but he missed target from close range.
In the 59th minute, dribbling ace, Edmore Chirambadare gave way for Ronald Chitiyo and Raphael Manuvire paved way for Farai Edwin Madhanaga ten minutes later.
Uganda rallied for atleast a goal making two more offensive changes bringing on Geoffrey Sserunkuma and Edrisa Lubega for Isaac Muleme and Erisa Ssekisambu respectively.
Lubega landed a chance to level the matters with 10 minutes to play, shooting inches wide from inside the area.
Lanky forward, Geofrey Sserunkuma headed home the equalizer with virtually the last play of the game in the third minute of added time.
Sserunkuma’s header came off Awany’s telling delivery from the right following a clever back heel from teenager, Edrisa Lubega
Uganda and Zimbabwe end the tournament with two and one points respectively and are thus eliminated as Zambia and Mali progress to the last eight stage.
This has been Uganda’s third and straight appearance at the CHAN finals after the tournaments in Sudan and South Africa in 2011 and 2014 respectively.
Team Line Ups:
Uganda XI: James Alitho (G.K), Joseph Nsubuga, Isaac Muleme, Bernard Muwanga, Richard Kasagga Jjuuko, Ivan Ntege, Kezironi Kizito, Timothy Dennis Awany, Erisa Ssekisambu, Faruku Miya, Joseph Benson Ochaya
Changes:
58’ Richard Jjuuko Kasaga – Out, Samson Ceasar Okhuti – In
70’ Isaac Muleme – Out, Geofrey Sserunkuma – In
78’ Erisa Ssekisambu – Out, Edrisa Lubega – In
Subs Not Used: Mathias Kigonya (G.K), Denis Okot Oola, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Hassan Wasswa Dazo, Robert Sentongo, Ambrose Kirya, Martin Kizza, Frank Kalanda
Zimbabwe XI: Marshal Tatenda Mkuruva (G.K), Lawrence Mhlanga, Joel Ngodzo, Hardlife Zvirekwi (C), Rodreck Mutuma, Bruce Kangwa, Stephen Mukatuka, Raphael Manuvire, Nqobizitha Masuku, William Manondo, Edmore Chirambadare
Changes:
55’ Rodreck Mutuma – Out, Moses Demera – In
59’ Edmore Chirambadare – Out, Ronald Chitiyo – In
68’ Raphael Manuvire – Out, Farai Edwin Madhanaga – In
Subs Not Used: Bernard Donovan (G.K),John Gerald Tungamirai Takwara, Francisco Zekumbawira
