Uganda Cranes Regional Tours 2017:
- Eastern Region Select 0-3 Uganda Cranes
Trade mark free-kicks from Emmanuel Arnold Okwi and Martin KiZza as well as Nelson Senkatuka’s well volleyed goal gave Uganda Cranes a comfortable 3-0 win during the start of the 2017 Regional Tours at the Kamuli Park Municipal Stadium on Sunday evening.
Proline striker Senkatuka was well stationed to volley home the opener after 11 minutes off a well delivered cross from the right by Ambrose Kirya.
SC Villa winger Kizza doubled the advantage with a free-kick, seemingly weak past an off colour goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo on 22 minutes.
Skipper Okwi curled home the third 8 minutes later to confirm the Eastern side would swallow an avalanche of goals.
Eastern Region head coach Abbey Bogere Kikomeko was propelled to call off Ssebwalunyo for Aziz Omonyi in a bid to limit the eminent damage and the move handsomely paid off.
Half time ended 3-0 in favour of the national team side as Micho the head coach introduced completely a different side in the second half.
Vitalis Tabu, Hood Kaweesa and Villa Oromochan tested Omonyi in the second half but could not succeed.
BUL midfielder David Bagoole as well as the Kazindula brothers of Saddam and Ibrahim were a thorn in the flesh of the Uganda Cranes back line in the second half.
A big living crowd that also had FUFA Boss, Moses Magogo, FUFA delegates from Eastern Uganda, sponsors’ representatives among others graced the match.
The Cranes team is preparing for two friendly matches next week against Kenya in Nairobi and with the French Military team at Namboole.
Micho told the media shortly after the match he was impressed by the turn up and the overall performance as he starts the journey of preparing the team for 2017 competitions.
Such matches are not for a joke but for preparatory purposes. I am impressed for the overall performance.
It is a good start. Six players have impressed me and will be considered as we look to next week’s engagements.
The Regional Tours started three years ago with the main intention of taking the Uganda Cranes stars close to the fans.
The tours are jointly sponsored by Airtel Uganda Limited and Nile Breweries under the flagship brand of Nile Special, organized by Kibo Media.
Team line ups:
Eastern Region Select XI: Hannington Ssebwalunyo (G.K), Faruoq Mudoola, Joshua Nkabi, Peter Musoke, Yusuf Najib, Amos Etoju, Rajab Abdul Rahman, Deo Esejje, David Bagoole, Juubu Malangu, Ibrahim Kazindula
Subs: Aziz Omonyi (G.K), Sande Olobo, Faisal Najib, Isma Benson, Abbas Michael, Jackson Ziraba Mukama, Ben Musana, Vicent Lukwago, Rajab Waiswa, Fahad Badiro
Head coach: Abbey Bogere ‘Capello’ Kikomeko
Uganda Cranes XI: Nicholas Ssebwato (G.K), Joseph Nsubuga, Hassan Musana, Savio Kabugo, Allan Anguyo, Abel Eturude, Shafik Kagimu, Emmanuel Okwi (Captain), Nelson Senkatuka, Martin Kiiza
Uganda Cranes second half team: Keni Saidi (G.K), Allan Drajua, Arafat Galiwango, Rashid Toha, Brian Nsubuga, Juma Ibrahim Saddam, Hood Mulikyi, Vitalis Tabu, Living Kabong, Hood Kawesa, Villa Oromchan
Unused sub: Muhammed Ssekebba (Goalkeeper)
Head coach: Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredejovic
Match Officials:
Referee: George Oryem
Assistant Referee 1: Ronald Mwesigwa
Assistant Referee 2: Muzamil Wasiwa
4th Official: Kenneth Kimaliya
Commissioner: Hajji Siraji Katono
Media Officer: Joseph Mutaka
Security Officer: Sam Lwere
