French tactician Sebastien Desabre is delighted having attained the first victory as Uganda Cranes head coach since taking over from Moses Basena on 27th December 2017.
In the first five matches for Uganda Cranes under Desabre, the national team lost thrice to Congo (1-0), Zambia (3-1) and Namibia (1-0) and drawing with West Africans Guinea (1-1) as well as a goal-less stalemate with Cote D’Ivoire.
On Saturday, 24th March 2018, a new script was written as Uganda Cranes overcame visiting West African island nation, Sao Tome and Principe 3-1 at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
Joseph Ochaya, Murushid Jjuuko and debutant Abraham Ndugwa were on target for Uganda Cranes.
Desabre shared with the media his views about the match;
I am happy that we achieved our number one objective – to win.
It was a good opportunity to play at home and see many of the foreign based players in action.
It was a good performance and we shall keep improving.
Ochaya struck home the first goal on 20 minutes off a Nico Wakiro Wadada cross from the right.
Jjuuko added the second on the stroke of half time with Ochaya providing the assist from a corner kick.
Debutant Abraham Ndugwa, who had replaced William Luwagga Kizito after 57 minutes got on target 8 minutes to full time, thanks to Yunus Sentamu’s through ball.
Desabre hailed Ndugwa for the well taken goal.
He is a young player with potential. I am happy he scored on his first outing
Besides Ndugwa, two other players earned their debuts against Sao Tome and Principe; these were Yeovil Town defender Bevis Mugabi and Buildcon forward Fahad Bayo.
Meanwhile, Uganda Cranes will play in the second build up match this Tuesday against Malawi at Namboole.
The team will conduct a recovery session on Sunday before Monday’s last training.