AFCON 2017 (Group D) Final Matches:
Uganda 1-1 Mali – Stade D’ Oyem
Ghana 0-1 Egypt – Port Gentil
Uganda Cranes return to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after 39 years of toiling, diligence and agony has been marked by a point in the final game.
The Cranes drew 1-1 with the Mali Eagles in the two countries last group match played at a waterlogged Stade D’Oyem following a down pour before the official warm up sessions.
The opening 45 minutes ended goalless in a match where easy ball movement on the ground was hampered by the flooded terrain.
Standard Liege’s midfielder Faruku Miya opened the scoring with a wonder strike from 25 yards after 69 minutes before Lille play maker Yves Bissouma quickly responded with a stunning free-kick three minutes later.
Earlier in the opening stanza, Mali had a lions’ share of the chances at goal with Lille midfielder Yves Bissouma the main tormentor in chief.
Moussa Marega hit the side netting from close range inside the opening 7 minutes of the game
Miya had a long range shot off target two minutes later in Uganda’s first goal bound attempt.
Come the 20th minute, William Luwagga Kizito nearly scored for the Cranes but ball was held up by water after a Miya booted through ball and goalie Sisoko was left with easiest of collections.
Four minutes later, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda miskicked a high ball as Godfrey Walusimbi charge to benefit Bissouma with possession on the right. The play maker laid in for an incoming Sylla Yacouba, who shot hurried over the bar.
With 10 minutes to the end of the half, right back Dennis Iguma back tracked to deny Doumbia Moussa crossing opportunity.
Lanky defender Molla Wgue headed wide Sylla free-kick before referee Bouchaab awarded a yellow card to Murushid Jjuuko for a foul on lanky forward Moussa Marega.
Kalifa Coulibaly replaced Lassana Coulibaly in the first change of the game in the 54th minute.
Moments later, Tonny Mawejje came in for a largely ineffective Moses Oloya in Uganda Cranes first change.
The moment for Uganda to return home with a goal arrived in the 69th minute when a clever one two involving Dennis Iguma found Miya into space and he shot past goalie Oumar Sisoko for the opener.
Three minutes later, Mali was level through Yves Bissouma free-kick evading the wall and no chance.
William Luwagga Kizito paved way for team skipper Geofrey Massa with 14 minutes to play before Mustapha Yatabare replaced Moussa Marega in Mali’s second change.
Hassan Wasswa Mawanda became the second Ugandan player to be booked for bitter protest.
Micho brought in Michael Azira for an injured Aucho Khalid in the dying minutes of the game.
A point earned for Uganda Cranes is good enough for a country returning to continental action after 39 years.
Uganda and Mali are thus eliminated and return home on Thursday morning.
Team line ups:
Uganda Cranes XI: Dennis Odongkara, Dennis Iguma, Godfrey ‘Jajja Walu’ Walusimbi, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda, Murushid Jjuuko, Geofrey ‘Baba’ Kizito, Khalid Aucho, Moses Oloya, William Luwaga Kizito, Faruku Miya and Joseph Ochaya.
Changes:
59’ Moses Oloya Out, Tonny Mawejje On
76′ William Luwagga Kizito Out, Geofrey Massa On
90’ Aucho Khalid Out, Michael Azira On
Subs Not Used:
Salim Omar Magoola (G.K), Junior Yunus Sentamu, Nico Wakiro Wadada, Isaac Isinde, Muhammad Shaban, Shafik Batambuze, Michael Azira
Injured: Denis Onyango (Goalkeeper) and Timothy Denis Awany
Mali XI: Oumar Sissoko (G.K), Hamari Traore, Lassana Coulibaly, Yacouba Sylla (Captain), Moussa Marega, Moussa Doumbia, Molla Wague, Mamoutou N’diaye, Yves Bissouma, Mahamadou N’Diaye, Ousmane Coulibaly
Changes:
54’ Kalifa Coulibaly replaced Lassana Coulibaly
77′ Mustapha Yatabare replaced Moussa Marega
Subs Not Used:
Youssouf Kone, Salif Coulibaly, Charles Blonda Dit Modibo Traore, Sambou Yatabare, Mohammed Konate, Samba Sow (with yellow card warning)
Injured: Bakary Sako, Soumaila Diakite, Djigui Diarra
Match officials:
Center referee: Lemghaifry Bouchaab (Mauritania)
1st Assistant Referee: Evarest Menkouande (Cameroon)
2nd Assistant Referee: Anouar Hmila (Tunisia)
4th Official: Arnaud Otogo Castane (Gabon)
Commissioner: Amadeo Nguema Ondo Bindang (Equatorial Guinea)
General Coordinator: Paul Russell
