Uganda Cranes Regional Tour 2017
- Kitara Region Select 1-3 Uganda Cranes
On Sunday, the Uganda Cranes humbled Kitara region select 3-1 at the Buhinga stadium in Fort Portal during a well attended match.
Emmmanuel Okwi notched a brace in the match with a dipping header and a simple finish at the back post off Hassan Wasswa Mawanda’s header.
Nelson Senkatuka’s diving header from Milton Karisa’s well delivered cross was another eye catching goal from the Proline striker.
Second half substitute Beckam Musoki got the only consolation for the home team.
Head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredejovic used two different sides for the game.
This was the second time that Uganda Cranes had defeated the same region following a 6-0 humiliation at Masindi stadium in 2015.
Kawowo Sports analyzes the performance of the Uganda Cranes’ players (out of 10) in the latest match.
Ismael Watenga (G.K) – 6.5: The Vipers’ shot stopper was hardly troubled by the Kitara region front men Silverster Mumbere, Vincent Kasonki and Godfrey Kasingo.
With a solid back line, he only rose up so well to collect the harmless aerial balls played in from either flanks.
Nico Wakiro Wadada – 6.5: The right back defended well off the pacy Bumate winger Vincent Kasonki.
He even bought off special time to conduct the customary raids down the right flank.
Crowd shouted at every time he ventured up front, he shot wide after one of the marauding runs.
Martin Kiiza – 5: Played at left back for the opening half of the game.
He was suspect in positioning but assisted well during the attacks.
He troubled Kasese New Villa’s right back, Denis Alion with quick runs and swift breaks.
Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Captain) – 6.5: Arguably one of the most experienced member of the team alongside Emmanuel Okwi.
He was elegant, headed well and nearly scored at the stroke of half time but Okwi poached on his headed effort with goalie Isaac Kwizera and defence beaten.
Halid Lwaliwa (Not Rated): Played less than a quarter of action in the opening half.
He was badly injured on the right knee after a careless foul by Kitara’s Robert Ronald Kyamanywa in the middle of the pack.
As usual, he had started off strongly with the command, clearances and calm, good reading.
Deus Bukenya – 6: Battled well in the middle of the pack with Maxwell Owarinzingui and Ronald Kyamanya. He played with purpose and tackled well.
Robert Kakeeto – 7: A star performance for the Aalborg based midfielder in Denmark.
Even in the muddy conditions which Kakeeto is unaccustomed to, he played with elegance and was quick to look out for the teammates.
Shafiq Kagimu – 7: Keeps improving day in, day out. The URA midfielder floated a number of teasing balls that troubled the opposition. Assisted Emmanuel Okwi’s first goal after 24 minutes.
Nelson Senkatuka – 7.5: Scored a great diving off Milton Karisa’s well delivered ball from the right. He fought well with defenders Timothy Kato and Gerrald Bairnezi.
Strikers are judged by the goals scored, Senkatuka delivered home the goods.
Emmanuel Okwi – 8: No doubt the man of the match. He shot at free-will, inter-played with teammates at ease and above all scored two goals.
The first a dropping header of Kagimu’s teasing ball from the right and the second a typical goal poacher’s strike.
He swiftly ran and well positioned at the back post to pop home Hassan Wasswa Mawanda’s dipping header that had already beaten goalie Kwizera and his entire defence.
Milton Karisa – 6.5: The Vipers midfielder cum striker had a great time on the ball.
Bullied by left back Timothy Kato on the muddy surface, he fought to get good playing time.
He assisted for Nelson Senkatuka’s goal, a decent and well timed diving header off a tempting delivery.
Team 2:
Saidi Keni -6: Enjoyed his moment in the goal post after coming on for Isma Watenga. Collected all the high balls and was quicker to tame the threats. He was later replaced by Tom Ikara mid second half.
Allan Drajua – 4.5: The right back played well defensively but struggled with crossing. None of the intended balls he wished to deliver reached the forwards.
John Adriko – 4.5: Has an eye catching long diagonal ball. He struggled however with the cross meant for the strikers.
He was good on the defensive.
Savio Kabugo – 5.5: Replaced Vipers’ center half Halid Lwaliwa early in the second half. He slid in the first half because of the slippery surface but left back Martin Kiiza was stationed to thwart the threat.
Kabugo had the most time on the field of play overall. He looked strong in the air as usual with room for improvement on his ball distribution antics.
Benard Muwanga – 5: He fought off an energized second half come back by the Kitara region team with wild clearances and headers as usual.
Tadeo Lwanga – 5.5: Had the well timed hard tackles as usual and passed the ball with confidence.
The SC Villa captain however looked lost in an isolated midfield.
Francis Olaki – 4.5: The Soana captain struggled with the bumpy ground. He attempted to shift positions on the right, left and center in vain
Ali Gift – 4: His footballing brains have never been in question. He was however slow in confidence on the day, uncharacteristic of the Proline burly midfielder.
He drifted to the left but Denis Alion was a few seconds quicker off the blocks.
Erisa Ssekisambu – 4.5: The Vipers forward players was not so much convincing on the day. Looked lost at the right flank, struggled with the dribble and cross alike.
Isaac Lyne Greys Jjunju – 4.5: It was the very first time ever that the well built Brechin City in Scotland forward was playing on the a typical African ground.
Born and bred in the United Kingdom, Jjunju struggled with the bumpy ground.
On a positive and promising note however, he registered the most shots on and off the goal in the entire duration of the game.
Well built, Jjunju has the awesome positional sense and eye for the goal posts – typical attributes of any lethal striker.
Nicholas Kasozi – 5.5: The only FUFA Big league player on the Uganda Cranes side. He had the confidence and passed the ball well.