Islanders Madagascar expose Uganda Cranes in friendly duel

• Friendly Match
• Uganda Cranes 1-2 Madagascar

The Madagascar picked a 2-1 victory against Uganda Cranes in a friendly duel played at the StarTimes stadium in Lugogo on Wednesday.

KCCA FC midfielder Muzamiru Mutyaba beat goalkeeper Ibrahim Dabo with a calm finish after being set up by striker Edrisa Lubega two minutes to the half hour mark.

Before the goal, the game had been a balanced affair with either sides creating goal scoring opportunities.

With 15 minutes played, Lubega missed a free-header off Dennis Iguma’s cross.

The towering pair of Rio Carlous Anoriananicinos alongside striking partner and the visiting team captain, Ferdinard Ramananahera were a menace in the back line of Isaac Isinde and Savio Kabugo.

Watenga saved Anoriananicinos’ effort from close range and Ramanananahera shot wide inside the area as the first half climaxed.

Romania based midfielder William Luwagga Kizito twice required medical attention as he was checked by Toavina Ranbelosn and Thomas Fontaine on either flanks he operated from.

At the onset of the second half, Uganda Cranes technical team introduced a fresh team of 11 players.

Benjamin Ochan was in goal, taking over Watenga’s place.

Nico Wakiro Wadada replaced Iguma, Isaac Muleme came in Godfrey Walusimbi’s place as the central defense pairing of Bernerd Muwanga and Timothy Awany walked on for Isaac Isinde and Savio Kabug.

Milton Karisa, Emma Okwi, Geoffrey Serunkuma, Ivan Ntege, Farouk Miya and Derrick Nsibambi were the other Uganda Cranes players introduced as the second half kicked off.

Four minutes into the second stanza of the game, referee Mashood Ssali awarded the visiting side a penalty after Ina Faneva Andriatsina was brought down in the area by Wadada.

Anorianaicinos’s weak kick to the left of goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan was initially saved but the executor reacted swiftly to pounce home the rebound for the equalizer.

Ten minutes later, Lalaina Nonenjana paved way for Patrick Herimanjaarivo for the visitors’ first change on the day.

Diminutive forward player Hery Randriaitara was cheered up by the partisan crowd as he replaced Ferdindard Ramananahera with barely a quarter an hour to play.

Geoffrey Sserunkuma, Faruku Miya, Emmanuel Okwi and Derrick Nsibambi were all culprits in front of goal before the visitors took the lead.

The Islanders finished off a decent counter attack with two minutes left on the clock.

Randriaitara combined well with lanky midfielder Calsin Dimitry to release the pacy Anoriananicinos who calmly placed the ball out of reach for Ochan on the far right for the winning goal well celebrated.

Miya had a teasing curling corner missing contact by any of the Cranes’ players in a crowded goal area before Ssali blew for full time.

Madagascar had secured a morale boosting victory away from home over Uganda in recent years following a slim 1-0 defeat at the same stadium 2 years ago in another friendly match.

Team Line ups:

Uganda Cranes XI: Ismail Watenga (G.K), Denis Iguma, Godfrey Walusimbi, Savio Kabugo, Isaac Isinde, Tonny Mawejje, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda, William Luwagga Kizito, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Edrisa Lubega, Joseph Ochaya

Uganda Cranes (Second half team): Benjamin Ochan (GK), Nico Wakiro Wadada, Isaac Muleme, Bernard Muwanga, Milton Karisa, Emma Okwi, Geoffrey Serunkuma, Ivan Ntege, Farouk Miya, Timothy Awanyi, Derrick Nsibambi

Sub Not Used: Denis Onyango (GK)

Madagascar XI: Ibrahim Dabo (GK), Ranbelosn Toavina, Pascal Razakanantenaina, Thomas Fontaine, Nonenjana Lalaina (62’ Patrick Herimanjaarivo) , Jean Raherinarimanana, Calsin  Dimitry, Randrinbololuna Zotsara, Rio Carlous Anoriananicinos, Ina Faneva Andriatsina, Ferdinard Ramananahera  (75’ Hery Randriaitara,)

Subs Not Used: Ramaritany Damien (GK), Michel Randriantenaina

Referees:

• Center Referee: Mashood Ssali
• 1^st Assistant Referee: Musa Balikoowa
• 2^nd Assistant Referee: Lee Okello
• 4^th Official: Brian Miiro Nsubuga
• Match Commissioner: Ali Waiswa