Uganda Cranes beat DR Congo 2-0 in an international friendly at the FNB stadium in Johannesburg on Friday.
James Bogere and Kelvin Boateng scored in either half for Paul Put’s men against Sebastien Desabre’s Leopards but how did each player in the Cranes jersey rate on the day?
David Akpan Udoh (7/10): He was commanding on his debut and was reliable throughout the game. Read crosses well and was always willing to play from the back with his feet.
Gavin Kizito (6/10): Showed his great versatility and was solid enough playing on the right of the back three.
Geoffrey Lubangakene (7/10): Hardly put a foot wrong on the left side of the back three and kept concentration throughout the game as DR Congo asked all sorts of questions.
Hilary Mukundane (7/10): Did well playing in the middle of the back three. Aerially superior despite his size.
Jonathan Odongo (6/10): Never looked fazed on his debut although he has a lot to improve.
Herbert Achai (5/10): Defensively suspect on some occasions as DR Congo looked to create danger from his side through Theo Bongonda.
Abdoulaye Sissako (8/10): Vital in protecting the back four and got forward in attack superbly. Good control, turn, run and pass for Boateng’s assist.
Allan Oyirwoth (7/10): Arguably his best game in national team colours. Confident on the ball and always willing to go forward.
Denis Omedi (5/10): Skippered the side but had little effect on the game besides good pressing high up the pitch.
James Bogere (7/10): Good press and anticipation to intercept the goalkeepers’ ball. Neat touch and fine finish for the opening goal. Always a threat with his direct runs at defenders although selfish at times. The future is bright.
Kelvin Boateng Owusu (7/10): A strong charge forward and brilliant finish for his first goal in Uganda Cranes colours. Impressive.
Substitutes
Toto Majub (6/10): Replaced Achai and was solid defensively though offered little going forward.
Joseph Sseremba (5/10): Energetic but not with control like Sissako had.
Sadam Masereka (6/10): Showed glimpses with his pace and skill down the left when he came on.
Richard Basangwa (5/10): Didn’t get much of the chance to affect the game
Frank Ssebuufu (6/10): Denied by the cross bar after intercepting the goalkeeper’s pass. Should have done better in the moment although had some good hold up play.
Head coach – Paul Put (7/10): Maintained his new favoured system with a back three but most importantly, gave an opportunity to players that didn’t feature in the two qualifiers against Libya and Tunisia.
Good analysis
For me, this was a much better Uganda Cranes side in terms of overall team play. The ball movement was more purposeful, the timing of passes and movements was better, and the pressing was more coordinated and intense. There was also greater agility in transition, with players showing more confidence to move the ball quickly and support each other.
What impressed me most was the coordination in passing and the willingness to play forward rather than relying too much on individual moments. And this was with a team featuring several new and young players.
Honestly, this performance looked far more promising than the lineup that recently played against Libya in Hoima. If these young players are given consistent opportunities and allowed to develop together, Uganda could build a much more energetic, technically capable and competitive side.
David Akpan Udoh looked reliable. Need to see more.
Whatever happened to the goalkeeping clinics run by former goalies like Paul Ssali? These should be revived and even improved. Over to you FUFA or UG clubs.
Kelvin Boateng Owusu was decent.
What I like about these new guys is that they do not succumb to the chronic UG Cranes disease of low scoring. This disease which has lingered for over a decade, even affects free scoring youngsters who stop scoring when they move up to the senior Cranes.