- Result: Uganda 1-0 Libya
Uganda Cranes secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Libya in their AFCON 2027 Qualifiers clash at the Hoima City Stadium on Tuesday.
Debutant Arnold Vula scored the solitary goal as the hosts claimed maximum points to take charge of Group H.
The Cranes started on the front foot, taking early control by relying on roving full-backs Nathan Asiimwe and Aziz Kayondo to push forward.
Libya almost capitalised on a defensive error in the 10th minute when Rogers Ochaki Torach failed to clear his lines.
However, veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango reacted swiftly, rushing off his line to deny Ezzeddin Elmaremi.
Five minutes later, Allan Okello carved open the Libyan defence with a precise ball to the surging Asiimwe, but the resulting cross went begging as no Ugandan player was on hand to connect.
Onyango was called into action again in the 23rd minute, producing a brilliant close-range save to deny Ezzeddin once more and keep the game level.
Uganda nearly broke the deadlock five minutes before the break through Rogers Mato, but his curling effort whistled just wide of the target.
Momentum continued to build as Okello and Asiimwe combined effectively again, this time seeking out Vula, only for Ali Yousuf Abraheem to execute a crucial block.
Head coach Paul Put made his first substitution in the 59th minute, replacing the goalscorer Vula with Kevin Owusu Boateng to tweak the attacking shape.
Libya squandered a glorious opportunity to equalise in the 75th minute when Ezzeddin inexplicably failed to tap home from point-blank range into an empty net.
Searching for extra pace in transition, Put introduced Denis Omedi for Okello in the 78th minute. Later, with five minutes left on the clock, Allan Oyirwoth came on for a tired Mato to help seal the win.
The vital 1-0 victory propels Uganda to the top of Group H with four points from their opening two matches.
Uganda is on fire
Uganda wewo
Let’s consolidate our grip against Botswana and seal our position on top of the group. Crane oyee