- Uganda Cranes (CHAN Team) 2-2 Azam (Tanzania)
The training match between Uganda Cranes and the Tanzania Premier League side, Azam Football Club at St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende was just a perfect test for the locally based stars.
Twice, the national team rallied gallantly from a goal down to earn at least a point in the closed door encounter played on a rainy Tuesday evening.
Interim coaches Moses Basena and Fred Kajoba were on the side lines for the first time in a competitive setting since taking over from Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredejovic.
Against the run of play, Azam took the lead on the stroke of half time through Junior Waziri.
Waziri shielded off defender Bernard Muwanga, who had raced to cover up for team captain Nico Wakiro Wadada before beating goalkeeper Ismail Watenga at the near post with a venomous shot.
Earlier, the Uganda Cranes side was dominant with ball possession and had created the most goal scoring opportunities.
Twice, enterprising midfielder Shafiq Kagimu failed to beat Ghanaian goalkeeper Razak Albalora with the goal at his mercy.
Azam’s Zayd Yahya also tested Watenga from distance with a 20th minute shot.
Six minutes later, defender Savio Kabugo slid to clear the ball off Yahya’s feet as the FIFA Referee Alex Muhabi waved play on to neglect the penalty shouts from the Azam players.
Kagimu had a one against one incident foiled by the goalie (shot stopper was injured in the process) as he maintained his dominance with partners Nelson Senkatuka, Milton Kariisa and Paul Mucureezi having a silent day at office.
When the second half returned, Basena made 7 changes to the first half team.
He maintained Wadada at right back, Muwanga in the midfield, Kariisa on the far right and Kagimu on the left attack.
In came goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan, defenders Paul Musamali, Rashid Toha, midfielders Moses Waiswa, Muzamiru Mutyaba and forward Derrick Nsibambi.
There was an instant impact created by the changes. The team attained more mobility and urgency whilst approaching the opponent’s final third.
Kagimu had a goal bound shot blocked by defender Aggrey Morris in the 47th minute.
It took 7 minutes for the equalizing goal, a beauty and well worked out strike. Waiswa combined with Muzamiru who released the overlapping Wadada on the far right and with no hesitation, the right back hit the ball with the outside of his pint sized right foot from an acute angle to bring the game level.
Bernard Muwanga nearly scored a rare long range goal when his effort was tipped over the bar for a corner kick by the goalkeeper in the 55th minute.
There were 3 more changes for the national team when Shafiq Kagimu, Bernard Muwanga and Milton Karisa all paved way for Shaban Muhammed, Tom Masiko and Simon Sserunkuma respectively.
Second half substitute Joseph Kimwaga beat his marker Isaac Muleme with pace and agility before unleashing a thunderbolt inside the goal area past Ochan in Uganda Cranes’ goal. Kimwaga’s goal arrived barely 5 minutes to the death of the match.
Deep in added time, Uganda Cranes staged a remarkable fight.
Shaban was brought down by right back Karim Hamimu in the forbidden area. Mutyaba confidently stood up to convert the resultant penalty sending goalkeeper Albalora the wrong way for the breather and equalizer that squared the game at 2-all.
The match might have shown coaches Basena and Kajoba the strong and weak lines where urgent consolidation and amendments respectively ought to be effected.
This was the first time that the national team was playing at the St Mary’s stadium.
Meanwhile, the team training resumes on Wednesday with one session starting at 4 p.m ahead of the first leg of the second round qualifier against Rwanda this Saturday.
Azam is in the country on a 10 day training camp with friedlies against the reigning champions KCCA, crowd darlings Onduparaka, URA and Vipers.
Team Line ups:
Uganda Cranes XI: Isma Watenga (G.K), Nico Wadada Wakiro (C), John Adriko, Savio Kabugo, Bernard Muwanga, Deus Bukenya, Erisa Ssekisambu, Shafiq Kagimu, Nelson Senkatuka (35’ Frank ‘Zagga’ Tumwesigye), Paul Mucureezi, Milton Karisa
Second Half team: Benjamin Ochan (G.K), Nico Wakiro Wadada, Isaac Muleme, Paul Musamali, Rashid Toha, Bernard Muwanga (70’ Tom Masiko), Moses Waiswa, Milton Karisa (70’ Simon Sserunkuma), Muzamiru Mutyaba, Derrick Nsibambi, Shafiq Kagimu (70’ Shaban Muhammed)
Azam XI: Razak Albalora (G.K), Daniel Amoah, Bruce Kangwa, Aggrey Morris, Yakubu Muhammed, Himid Mao (Captain), Salmin Hoza (56’ Masoud Abdallah), Salum Abubaker, Frank Domayo, Yahya Zayd (63’ Yahaya Muhammed), Junior Waziri
