Uganda Cranes rally from two goals down to edge Moldova in international friendly

International Build Up: Moldova 2-3 Uganda Cranes

Uganda Cranes recovered from two goals down to out-muscle Eastern Europe nation Moldova 3-2 during an international friendly played at the Titanic Deluxe Belek Football Center in Turkey on Tuesday, 18 January 2022.

Dmitrii  Mandricenco, a player who features at FC Inhulets Petrove in Ukraine, gave Moldova the early lead on 10 minutes slotting past goalkeeper Isma Bin Rashid Watenga, the day’s captain.

Three minutes later, Petrocub Hîncești midfielder Mihail Platica (also holds duo citizenship as Russian) extended the goal margin with a brilliant header off a curling corner kick.

Kaddu’s first of the two penalties arrived in the 34^th minute, placing the ball to the right as the goalkeeper dived the wrong way.

Moldova led the opening stanza 2-1 heading to the mandatory halftime break.

Vipers Sports Club winger Karisa brought the game level in the 64^th minute before Kaddu’s second penalty 10 minutes later as Uganda Cranes led for the first time in the game.

This was the first victory for Uganda Cranes in Turkey after two earlier stalemates; one-all with Iceland and 2-2 against Romanian club FC Botosani.

Cranes head coach Milutin Sredojevic saluted the players for the brevity of fighting from two goals down to win the game.

“We showed the never say die attitude to come from two goals down and win the game. Scoring in all the three games was also a big plus for us,” Micho said.

Uganda Cranes will play still two more international build-ups against Iraq (75th on the FIFA Ranking) and Bahrain (91st).

The game against Iraq will be played on Friday, 21^st January 2022 with the final build up match against Bahrain coming six days later.

Uganda Cranes XI: Isma Bin Rashid Watenga (G.K), Gavin Kizito Mugweri, Abdu Aziz Kayondo, Enock Walusimbi, Halid Lwaliwa, Ashraf Mugume, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Travis Mutyaba, Milton Karisa, Yunus Junior Sentamu, Henry Patrick Kaddu

Subs: Benjamin Ochan (G.K), Innocent Esimu Wafula, Eric Ssenjobe, Najib Fesali, George Kasonko, Rogers Mato, Bright Anukani, Steven Mukwala, Martin Kizza, Muhammad Shaban