AFCON 2027 Qualifiers (Group H):
- Uganda Cranes 1-1 Botswana
On a moist playing surface in Hoima, Uganda Cranes and the Botswana Zebras shared a point during a 1-all stalemate in Group H of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
Teenager James Bogere put Uganda Cranes in the quick lead before Losika Ratshukudu restored parity for the Zebras on the hour mark.
The hosts commenced the game brilliantly when roving right back Nathan Asiimwe had a cross well defended well the Botswana defenders two minutes from restart.
On the break, Tumisang Orebonye shot on the side netting as the visitors reacted swiftly.
James Bogere had a shot saved by goalkeeper Goitseone Chichima Phoko on six minutes.
Uganda Cranes took the lead through Bogere who raced onto a long ball from Rogers Torach Ochaki before finishing calmly past the goalkeeper for the opener.
Bogere reacted faster when the ball bounced over right back Tebogo Kopelang before curling the ball into the top left corner of the goal that lit up the fans in the stands.
Another Asiimwe delivery was headed out of play with goalkeeper Phoko calling for medical attention on the quarter hour mark.
On 20 minutes, Torach slid to defend against Orebonye to tame a goal attack for the Zebras.
Moments later, the same Torach reacted quicker to brush off a teasing delivery by Gilbert Baruti.
The crowd applauded wildly when Bogere executed fancy step-overs but the final ball from the 18-year-old hit the side netting.
Maruti’s free-kick won Botswana a corner kick in the 25th minute before goalkeeper Denis Onyango saved a fierce shot from Chicco Molefe.
It was another Botswana attack once again when Francis Thero Setsile blasted over Onyango’s goal frame in the 27th minute.
On the half hour mark, Botswana equalized through Losika Ratshukudu’s first time shot past Onyango after a well laid ball from Baruti’s free-kick.
Bobosi Byaruhanga shot way and over the Botswana goal from 35 yards as the US Based midfielder perfected his trade-mark long shots.
Uganda had a forced change when veteran goalkeeper Onyango limped off with a leg injury to pave way for Kingdom Osayi with four minutes to play.
Left back Abdu Aziizi Kayondo took over the treasured captain’s arm band for Uganda Cranes.
Osayi tipped over a dipping shot from Orebony for a fruitless Zebra’s corner-kick.
Upon restart of play for the second half, Botswana Zebras had a bright start with good possession of the ball.
Ten minutes into the second half; Asiimwe was rested for Herbert Bockhorn and Kelvin Boateng paved way for Travis Mutyaba.
On the hour mark, Mutyaba was involved in action with a through ball for Bogere who set up Bobosi Byaruhanga who tapped wide from 20 yards.
Botswana’s first change of the game came after 62 minutes. Edwin Gape Mohutsiwa was rested for Lebogang Ditsele.
Ratshukudu was cautioned for tugging the shirt of Kayondo in the 73rd minute.
Bockhorn nearly scored Uganda’s second goal but his effort was saved on the line by goalkeeper Phoko with a quarter an hour to play.
Botswana called for a double change in the 79th minute. Goal scorer Losika Ratshukudu was replaced by Amogelang Reetsang and veteran Gilbert Baruti was rested for Patrick Thatayaone Ramatlapeng.
With 9 minutes to play; Uganda Cranes also made two changes at once.
Frank Ssebufu and Denis Omedi took over Arnold Vula and James Bogere’s slots respectively.
Uganda Cranes defender Torach got cautioned for a late aerial challenge onto Botswana forward Tumisang Orebonye in the 86th minute.
In the four additional minutes; Botswana made their final two changes.
Tumisang Orebonye was taken off for Elias Mbatshi Chida as Chicco Molefe got rested for Godfrey Nonko Tauyatswala.
A quick counter attack by Denis Omedi won Uganda Cranes a corner kick that Omedi delivered but Sibbick headed wide.
This was the last piece of action before the final whistle as the two sides shared the spoils.
This was the last dance for former Uganda Cranes captain Khalid Aucho who was among the unused substitutes in the game.
Aucho featured for Uganda Cranes in a career that spanned over 13 years.
Uganda leads Group H with five points. Libya who beat Tunisia 2-1 in Tripoli on Friday have four points.
Botswana is on three points and Tunisia has just collected two points in three matches.
Team Line Ups (Shirt Numbers in Brackets):
Uganda Cranes XI: Denis Onyango (18, G.K, Captain), Nathan Asiimwe (2), Abdu Aziizi Kayondo (23), Rogers Torach (3), Toby Peter (5), Sibbick, Kenneth Semakula (4), Baba Al Hassan, Bobosi Byaruhanga (6), James Bogere (17), Kelvin Owusu Boateng (13), Arnold Vula (9)
Subs Not Used: David Lukwago (1, G.K), Allan Okello (21), Allan Oyirwoth(22), Denis Omedi,(14) Frank Ssebufu (24), Hilary Mukundane (16), Khalid Aucho (8), Sadam Masereka (7), Toto Majub (20)
Changes:
41’ Denis Onyango OUT; Kingdom Osayi IN
55’ Nathan Asiimwe OUT, Herbert Bockhorn IN
55’ Kelvin Owusu Boateng OUT, Travis Mutyaba IN
81’Arnold Vula OUT; Frank Ssebufu IN
81’ James Bogere OUT; Denis Omedi IN
Team officials:
- Head coach: Paul Joseph Put
- Assistant coach: Fred Muhumuza
- Goalkeeper coach: Djirk Gerry Oste
- Team manager: Geofrey Massa
- Medical staff: Christian Jan Alain Goossens
- Team staff: Paul Nantulya Mukatabala, Gilles Yolande Verstraete, Andy Marin Gaston
- Physical trainer: Louis Francois Mandon
Botswana XI: Phoko Chichima Goitseone (G.K, 23), Alford Velaphi (5),Mosha Gaolaolwe (4, Captain), Chicco Molete (19), Tebogo Kopelang (20), Gape Edwin Mohutsiwa (6), Godiraone Modingwane (14), Francis Thero Setsile (10), Losika Ratshukudu(7), Gilbert Baruti (22), Tumisang Orebonye (11)
Subs Not Used: Victor James (1, G.K), Kenneth Moko (16, G.K), Botsile Tiroyaone Sakana (2), Larona Modisaemang (3), William Kutlwelo Mpolokang (13), Ramoagi Omphile (15), Kenneth Moko (16), Thabo Maponda (21)
Changes:
62’ Edwin Gape Mohutsiwa OUT, Lebogang Ditsele IN
80’ Losika Ratshukudu OUT; Amogelang Reetsang IN
80’ Gilbert Baruti OUT; Patrick Thatayaone Ramatlapeng IN
90’ Tumisang Orebonye OUT; Elias Mbatshi Chida IN
90’ Chicco Molefe OUT; Godfrey Nonko Tauyatswala IN
Team officials:
- Head coach: Machine Thaloba Nthaga
- Assistant coach: Oarabile Seabo
- Goalkeeper coach: Kagiso Tshelametse
- Head of delegation: Thapelo Mothusi
- Media officer: Utlwanang Mogapaesi
- Team delegate: Kagiso Kgaogano
- Team staff: Molatudi Kholoane & Andrew Moseki
Match Officials:
- Referee: Daouda Gueye (Senegal)
- Assistant Referee 1: Amadou Ngom (Senegal)
- Assistant Referee 2: Mamadou Ngom (Senegal)
- Fourth official: Aboubacar Ndiaye (Senegal)
- Commissioner: Mutwakkil Agied (Sudan)
