In what will remain as an eventful overall display for Paul Mucureezi, the KCCA forward acknowledged having had the belief of scoring against South Sudan.
Mucureezi started on the bench alongside team captain Geoffrey Sserunkuma who had picked up a knock in training.
It was not until the 37th minute when Derrick Nsibambi who had earlier suffered a knock in the process of heading home the opener was withdrawn for Mucureezi.
The former Uganda Christian University player took just 7 minutes to find the back of the net – thanks to a teasing through ball from creative midfield gem Moses Waiswa.
Mucureezi went on rampage with 3 more goals in the second stanza of the game.
He admitted having had the hope of scoring, personally praying to God for at least a goal.
This is a good start on the national team.
I really thank God for answering my prayers. I asked for a goal, he gave me four
Midfielders Milton Karisa, Muzamiru Mutyaba created the other goals in a well attended match.
Best of career so far
After the match, Mucureezi admitted having played the game of his life, scoring at the Lugogo astro turf, the home ground his club KCCA.
This is no doubt my best game of my career. I will live to remember the memories from this match.
Dedication to parents
Born in Ntungamo, Mucureezi dedicated the goals scored to his parents.
He also saluted the head coach Micho who trusted his potential and offered him the chance to play in the game.
I thank the coach for the trust he vested in me.
I also thank my teammates.
Football is a team sport and I would not have performed like this single handedly. I dedicate these goals to my parents in Ntungamo district.
In a special way, Mucureezi was inspired by the passionate fans from Western Uganda who openly expressed their undying love for the national team on the regional tours.
When I was entering the field, the coach whispered to me to follow the tactical instructions. He also joked to make my home people proud by scoring.
The people in Western Uganda love the Uganda Cranes.
I had to show them how people love the game there. I also followed the tactics given by the coach.
Uganda Cranes fell to a late goal by Khamis Uso in the 90th minute to colour the scoreline and give it a worth second look.
Uganda will now face Rwanda in two legged qualifiers whose eventual winner on aggregate will qualify for the CHAN championship in Kenya come 2018.
The first leg will be played in Kampala on 12th August, 2017 whilst the second leg will come on 18th August in Kigali.
CHAN is a tournament only played by locally based players in the respective domestic leagues.