Asiimwe, Okello build on Tunisia debuts as Libya tests their mettle in Hoima

For Nathan Asiimwe and Noble Okello, Uganda’s encounter against Libya in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers was more than just another international fixture. It was their second appearance for the national team, an opportunity to build on their promising first outing against Tunisia and demonstrate their ability to maintain their standards.

Their first appearances against Tunisia had provided encouraging signs, but the Libya encounter presented a different challenge. With Uganda playing in front of its home supporters at the newly opened Hoima City Stadium, the pair had an opportunity to show how much they had learned from their international introduction.

Uganda eventually secured a 1-0 victory, making the occasion even more memorable. However, beyond the result, the performances of Asiimwe and Okello offered an interesting insight into their growing roles within the Cranes setup.

Asiimwe’s growing influence

Asiimwe continued his international journey with another appearance against Libya, building on the experience he gained during Uganda’s previous outing against Tunisia.

Operating as a wingback, Asiimwe was part of a defensive structure that needed to balance its responsibilities at the back with the demands of contributing to Uganda’s attacking play.

Asiimwe did not disappoint from minute one and made his presence known. He was involved in several aspects of the game. He completed 27 of his 28 attempted passes, an impressive 96 per cent success rate, while recording 60 touches and winning five of his eight duels.

The passing accuracy was particularly notable. For a wingback, the ability to retain possession and distribute the ball effectively is essential, especially when the team is looking to build attacks from the wide areas.

Asiimwe’s 60 touches also indicated a reasonable level of involvement in Uganda’s play. His contribution was not limited to simply defending his position, as he was regularly involved in possession and the team’s overall build-up.

However, his game also revealed areas where he can continue to develop; especially in the second half, his quality and precision were not as impressive. Overall, he attempted eight duels, winning five, demonstrating his willingness to compete physically. Improving his success rate in these situations could further strengthen his defensive contribution.

For Asiimwe, the Libya match was an important opportunity to demonstrate consistency after his first appearance against Tunisia. His big-boy presence, quickness on the feet and passing involvement show that he is gradually adapting to the demands of international football.

We hope to see more of him in the Cranes; hopefully his clubs Salford City FC and Charlton Athletic FC are impressed to give him more playing time. It helps in his continued development. 

Okello’s midfield responsibilities

The Libya encounter was another opportunity for Okello to establish himself in Uganda’s midfield following his first appearance against Tunisia.

Playing in midfield requires a combination of composure, positional awareness, ball retention and the ability to influence the tempo of a match. Against Libya, Okello’s contribution was reflected in his passing statistics and involvement in possession.

He completed 49 of his 54 attempted passes, giving him a passing accuracy of approximately 91 per cent. He also recorded 74 touches, one of the higher totals among the players listed in the match statistics.

His ability to complete a high proportion of his passes was particularly important in a match in which the Cranes needed to maintain control while protecting their advantage; especially in the second half. 

Okello’s 74 touches showed he was frequently involved in the team’s play, providing an important link in midfield. He was generally very reliable when distributing the ball.

However, his performance was not without areas for improvement. Uganda needed goals and for a player of his quality the expectation was to have as many shots as possible and maybe goals; he registered one shot, suggesting that his direct goal threat was limited during the match.

Although midfielders have responsibilities beyond scoring, adding more attacking influence to his game could make him an even more valuable option for the Cranes.

His performance against Libya was therefore an opportunity to demonstrate his ability to contribute to the team’s structure, even if his influence in the final third was limited.

A debut can provide an introduction to the pace, physicality and tactical demands of international football. A second appearance, however, offers a different challenge: demonstrating that the player can reproduce his performance and continue adapting to the demands of the national team.

Asiimwe and Okello are still at the beginning of their journeys with the Uganda Cranes. Their appearances against Tunisia and Libya have provided an initial indication of their capabilities, but maintaining consistency will be an important part of their development.