Practice Match:
- Uganda Cranes 1-2 Uganda U-20 Team (The Hippos)
The Uganda Cranes team set for the 2017 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup championship got a checkmate test in their 2-1 loss to the junior side, the national U-20 outfit (The Hippos).
This build up match was played at the Mandela National Stadium on Friday evening.
KCCA forward Derrick Nsibambi shot the senior side ahead with a perfect turn and shoot effort off a rare assist from defender Timothy Dennis Awanyi.
Moments before the goal, the Cranes had been knocking on the door of the Hippos with countless attacks.
Vipers forward Milton Karisa and Nsibambi had twice shot on the cross bar in quick succession before the break through moment.
Ibrahim Saddam Juma had a chance to double the lead on 35 minutes but his venomous shot after a well set rolling ball from Allan Kateregga missed target narrowly.
Six minutes to the half way mark, Nsibambi limped out after a heavy knock by defender Geofrey Wasswa.
His place was taken over by Police Football Club forward Hood Kaweesa.
Sports Club Villa Jogoo creative midfielder Allan Kyambadde also had a chance to score not well utilized after side stepping goalkeeper Keni Saidi but his weak cut back was intercepted by Proline defender Mustapha Mujjuzi.
The last chance of the opening half also belonged to Moses Basena’s side when overlapping right back Joseph Nsubuga crossed for Kaweesa but the forward headed high of goal.
Meanwhile, Uganda Cranes goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan was largely on holiday since the Junior side forwards Steven Mukwala, Julius Poloto, Baden Mujahid and Pius Obuya had virtually no attempt at goal.
In the second stanza of the game, either sides made a couple of changes.
The senior team introduced goalkeeper Tom Ikara for Ochan, Aggrey Madoi at left back for Isaac Muleme and Shafiq Kagimu for Awany at central defence.
Also, in came forwards Paul Mucureezi, Nelson Senkatuka, Daniel Isiagi for Saddam, Karisa, Kyambadde and Tom Masiko respectively.
The Junior team introduced goalkeeper Ali Mwerusi (G.K), Qatar based Victor Matovu, Gadaffi Wahabu, Nicholas Kagaba, Canadian based Azake Luboyera, Allan Okello, David Owori and the robust forward Hamis Tibita.
As the second half kicked off, Nsubuga combined well with Nelson Senkatuka but the latter’s cross was a disappointment.
There was a comprehensive overhaul in the display of the Junior team with a changed mentality in offense and defending.
BUL football club forward Tibita shot hurriedly off the weaker left foot after Victor Matovu’s perfectly weighted chip on 50 minutes.
Creative KCCA midfielder Allan Okello released URA gem Nicholas Kagaba on the hour mark but the latter missed target by inches.
Three minutes later, Cranes left back Aggrey Madoi brought down Kagaba near the corner arc for the free-kick.
From the resultant set piece, Okello rolled the ball in the path of Mustapha Kizza whose venomous shot kissed the inside of the right up right, cut across the goal and sailed into the net for the beautiful equalizer.
Kizza assisted for the second via a curling corner kick that defender Fred Okot easily utilized to tap home as the Cranes defenders remained indecisive for the Hippos second goal after 70 minutes.
Efforts by the Cranes to equalize hit a dead end. At one moment, Isiagi shot wide of goal after being set up by Kateregga.
Tibita had a chance to bury off the game but his effort hit the cross bar with 5 minutes to the end of the game.
Center referee Ali Mpanga then brought the game to bed moments later as the Senior team was left with more questions than answers ahead of the kick off for the 2017 CECAFA senior challenge cup championships.
Uganda Cranes missed the services of goalkeeper Isma Watenga, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Nico Wadada who had all left for the Airtel FUFA Awards.
The U-20 team missed captain Muhammed Shaban (with a knock), defender Bashir Asiku (ham string) and stylish midfielder Frank ‘Zagga’ Tumwesigye (bout of flu).
Uganda opens up the title defence with a match against Burundi on Monday at Kakamega stadium.
The final team of 22 players left by road for Kenya on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the U-20 team continues with training on Saturday afternoon at the African Bible University, Lubowa.
Team Line Ups:
Uganda Cranes XI:
Benjamin Ochan (G.K), Joseph Nsubuga, Isaac Muleme, Bernard Muwanga, Timothy Denis Awanyi, Tom Masiko, Saddam Ibrahim Juma, Milton Karisa, Allan Kateregga, Derrick Nsibambi (40’ Hood Kaweesa), Allan Kyambadde
Uganda Cranes Second Half Team:
Tom Ikara (G.K), Joseph Nsubuga, Aggrey Madoi, Bernard Muwanga, Shafiq Bakaki, Paul Mucureezi, Nelson Senkatuka, Allan Kateregga, Daniel Isiagi, Allan Kyambadde, Hood Kaweesa
Uganda Hippos XI:
Keni Saidi (G.K), Fred Okot, Mustapha Kizza, Mustapha Mujjuzi, Geofrey Wasswa, Julius Poloto, Shafiq Kagimu, Baden Mujahid, Abubaker Kasule, Steven Mukwala, Pius Obuya
Uganda Hippos Second Half Team:
Ali Mwerusi (G.K), Fred Okot, Victor Matovu, Mustapha Kizza, Mustapha Kizza, Gadaffi Wahabu, Nicholas Kagaba, Azake Luboyera (Charles Ssebutinde), Allan Okello, Hamis Tibita, David Owori
