AFCON 2017: Group D
Egypt 1-0 Uganda
Record Africa Cup of Nations winners Egypt have defeated Uganda Cranes 1-0 in their second match of the 2017 edition at Port Gentil Stadium.
After defending gallantly for 87 minutes, Uganda Cranes were caught on the break and succumbed to Abdallah El-Said strike in the 88th minute after being set up by Muhammad Salah.
“It was one moment and they prevailed. We gave our best, but it was not enough,” a disappointed Micho said after the match.
The Pharaohs had a lion’s share of the ball possession but could not break down the tactically organised Cranes especially in the first half.
On 24 minutes Muhamed Ghaly failed to beat the advancing Dennis Onyango as his lob ifrom a tight angle cut across the goal from the right and Dennis Iguma cleared.
Joseph Ochaya whipped in a cross that was cleared out for a corner.
In the 33rd minute, Hamed Tarek shot that went over the bar and on the other end Miya had a shot sail across the goal after a one-two with Mawejje.
Onyango made the final save of the half with a diving header clearance, two minutes on the clock.
Six minutes after, Joseph Ochaya met Farouk Miya’s cross at the far post and tapped in pass El Hadary but the goal was correctly disallowed for offside.
Egypt coah Hector Cuper called for his first change with Abdallah Bekhit replaceing Tarek Hamed and moments later Mohamed Ghaly had a shot fly over from about 20 yards out
Uganda Cranes coach then threw on teenage striker Muhammad Shaban for team captain Geoffrey and Miya later paved way for Nicholas Wadada as Uganda opted to stay tight at the back.
Amr Warda replaced Ramadan Ahmed in Egypt’s second change of the game.
The loss means Uganda Cranes have no chance of progressing in the tournament at they are officially eliminated with one game to play against Mali.
On the hand, Egypt need just a draw from the Ghana game to qualify for the quarter finals regardless of the result between Uganda and Mali.
Team Line-ups:
Uganda Cranes XI: Dennis Onyango (GK), Dennis Iguma, Godfrey Walusimbi, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda, Murushid Juuko, Khalid Aucho, Geofrey ‘Baba’ Kizito, Tonny Mawejje, Faruku Miya, Geofrey Massa (Capt), Joseph Ochaya
Changes: 65’ Muhammed Shaban on for Geofrey Massa, 81’ Nicholas Wadada on for Faruku Miya
Subs Not Used: Robert Odongkara (G.K), Isaac Isinde, Sentamu Junior Yunus, Geofrey Sserunkuma, William Luwagga Kizito, Moses Oloya, Salim Omar Magoola (G.K), Shafiq Batambuze, Michael Azira Head coach: Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic (Serbia)
Egypt XI: Essam El Hadary (G.K), Aly Mosaad, Ahmed Hegazy, Ahmed Ibrahim, Tarek Hamed, Mohamed Ghaly, Mohamed Abouzeid, Ramadan Ahmed, Mohamed Elneny, Marwan Fahmy, Mahmoud Hassan Changes: 58’ 65’ Amr Warda On, Ramadan Ahmed Out
Subs: Ahmed Eissa, Omar Gaber, Ibrahim Gad, Ahmed Maghoub, Mahmoud Soliman, Ahmed Nouh, Karim Seifeldin, Sherif Ahmed, Abdallah Bekhit, Saadeldin Ali, Ahmed Elshanawi
Head coach: Hector Cuper
Match officials:
Center Referee:Malang Diedhiou (Senegal)
1st Assistant Referee: Djibril Camara (Senegal)
2nd Assistant Referee: El Hadji Malick Samba (Senegal)
4th Official: Eric Arnaud Otogo Castane (Gabon)
Commissioner: Daniel Alexander Jordaan (South Africa)
General Coordinator: Samson Adamu (Nigeria)
