The Cranes of Uganda became the first team to qualify for the quarter finals of the 2012 Cecafa Tusker Cup thanks to their 1-0 victory over Ethiopia at Namboole Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Brian Umony’s 9th minute strike separated the two sides at the final whistle in a closely contested tie.
Kawowo Sports’ Ismael Kiyonga was at Namboole and rates the Cranes players that Coach Bobby Williamson entrusted on the day. The rating is out of 10 and based on personal observation of each player’s performance.
HAMZA MUWONGE 6.0: Replaced the injured Abel Dhaira in goal and did well. His ball distribution was fantastic and made a match winning save in the 64th minute to deny Ethiopia an equaliser.
DENIS GUMA 6.0: He had a good game defensively but offered less going forward to support the attack. He still lacks the marauding skills for the modern right fullback.
ISAAC ISINDE 6.5: An improved performance from the first game. Showed composure in possession and his timing and game reading were good on the day.
HENRY KALUNGI 6.0: He is yet to replicate the form he showed against Zambia in October. He was lucky not to give away a penalty in the second half when he appeared to have had contact with Filkru in the forbidden area. Besides, he commanded the rear guard well and credit for another clean sheet.
GODFREY WALUSIMBI 6.0: He had a good first half combining well with Joseph Ochaya to torment the Ethiopians but faded in the second as Mogesse Tadesse Bogale beat him on the ball on a number of occasions. He is yet to have an excellent tournament by his standards.
HASSAN WASSWA 5.0: The skipper struggled throughout the game. He had a poor first and last touch. It explains why the Cranes were dominated in the centre of the pack.
GEOFFREY KIZITO BABA 6.5: He was tireless and covered the ground whenever his team lost possession. Though his passing was not the best on the day, he did well.
MOSES OLOYA 7.5: He still shows why he should be the man entrusted with a play making role in the team. He was involved in the goal Brian Umony scored as he laid a teasing pass to Emmanuel Okwi who assisted the goal. He however faded in the second half.
JOSEPH OCHAYA 7.5: He made his senior national team debut on the day and did well. His combination with Godfrey Walusimbi down the left was a joy to watch. However, he lost possession carelessly on a number of occasions. Withdrawn for Brian Majwega with fifteen minutes to play.
EMMANUEL OKWI 6.0: He laid the assist for the goal that Umony scored but besides that, he struggled with the ball at his feet and had only two shots on target. Yet to find the scoring boot that saw him finish among the top scorers in the 2011 tourney. He later gave way for Hamis Kiiza.
BRIAN UMONY 7.0: He scored the only goal of the game. He had a wonderful first half performance but went into oblivion in the second. Nonetheless, he missed lots of goal scoring opportunities.
SUBSTITUTES:
BRIAN MAJWEGA 5.0: He came on for Joseph Ochaya with 15 minutes left and did well.
HAMIS KIIZA 6.0: Came on for goal scorer Brian Umony with eight minutes left and was unlucky to miss on the score sheet in the closing minutes of the game.
ROBERT SSENTONGO N/A
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