Group B: CHAN 2014
Uganda 2 – 1 Burkina Faso
Zimbabwe 0 – 0 Morocco
A goal in each half by teenager, Yunus Sentamu for Uganda earned the East Africa nation that opening group B victory over Burkina Faso in the CHAN fixture played at Anthlone Stadium in South Africa on Sunday night.
The opener, an eye catching solo effort came after the first quarter of the game that followed an early surge that saw the Ugandan team win two quick corner kicks after
Winning a contested ball off 3 defenders, Sentamu who was only marking his second cap in national team colours, expertly rounded off the goalie Mohamed Kabore, to tap home in an empty net and spark wild cheers from the over 700 Ugandan fans in the stadium.
The strike from the youngest member on the Cranes team,who plays club football with local side, Vipers Football club, even drew appreciation from the executive wing of the CAF Executive members, including the president himself, Issa Hayatou.
Half time ended one nil and Sentamu was on the mark again in the 73rd minute after a substituent Francis Olaki (after replacing a lively winger Vicent Kayizizi) put in a well weighted ball into the area that the goal scorer met, beating his marker, Issa Gouo to command a 2 – 0 lead.
Burkina Faso mounted a late challenge that saw second half substitute, Cyrille Bayala, who replaced Aliasou Sanou, tap in an easy ball following a corner in the 87th minute in a crowded Cranes goal area. It was little too late to see them make a remarkable come back.
The Uganda defence line of Richard Kassaga and Savio Kabugo held onto the remaining minutes on the clock though the latter was replaced at the death of the game for Martin Mpuuga, a club mate at Sports Club Victoria University.
The victory enabled Uganda earn her maiden Victory in the history of the Championship of African Nations tourney following a dismissal outing in the 2011 Sudan championship where the East African highest ranked team only managed only goal.
Uganda now tops group B following Zimbabwe and Morocco’s earlier draw in the group’s opener. Uganda returns in action on Thursday, 16th January with a date against Zimbabwe as Morocco faces Burkina Faso.
The fixture’s two goal hero, Yunus Sentamu scooped the man of the match accolade.
Team Line- ups:
UGANDA:
Ochan Benjamin (Goal keeper), Julius Ntambi, Isaac Muleme, Richard Kassaga, Savio Kabugo (90+ Martin Mpuga), Ivan Ntege, Vicent Kayizzi (’66 Francis Olaki), Hassan Mawanda Wasswa, Denis Iguma, Sentamu Yunus, Brian Majwega.
Subs Not Used:
Isma Bin Abdul Rashid Watenga (19) GK, Kimera Ali (01) GK, Kiseka Ronnie (15), Kasaga Juuko Richard (05), Wadada Nico Wakiro (02), Kyeyune Said (08), Kyambade Allan (21), Mugerwa Yasser (03), Mpande Mbolimbo Joseph (10), Asiku Crespo (23), Olaki Ronald Francis (07), Okwi Simon (14),
BURKINA FASO:
Mohamed Kabore (Goal Keeper), Issa Gouo, Issoufou Dayo, Mbah Kone, Saidou Simpore, Youssouf Kabore, Elisse To, Bassirou Ouedraogo, Aboubacar Traore, Aliasou Sanou, Francis Kabore (’63 Cyrille Bayala).
Subs Not Used:
Lare Diarra (16) GK, Abdoul Kobre (23) GK,Yaya Coulibaly (02), Yelleboure Sango (03), Ousseini Yeye, Eric Traore (08), Winkome Zoungrana (09), Bassirou Ouedraogo (11), Oumarou Nebie (12), Boubacar Nimi (14), Aboubacar Barro (17), Ilias Tiendrebeogo (18), Francis Kabore (19), M’bah Kone (20), Saidou Simpore (21)
Match officials:
Center Referee: Ali Lemghalfry Mauritania)
Ass Referee 1: Hassan Eguehyacin (Djibouti)
Ass Referee 2: Yahaya Mahamadou (Niger)
