Uganda vs Rwanda: Player ratings

By Swalley Kenyi

UGANDA Cranes international friendly match against Rwanda on Saturday must have prompted the technical team to think a little harder ahead of the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in Nairobi, Kenya.

The team that was littered with largely new faces in the starting line up looked shaky and unassured on the ball. This is how the Cranes players scored against Rwanda:

Benjamin Ochan               7

His display in this match demonstrated maturity. He consistently saved goal bound balls. And this evidently increased his confidence and was no doubt one of the three standout players of the match.

Nicholas Wadada             5

His confidence at right back has increased in leaps and bound but there is still room for him to raise the bar especially in one-on-one situations with quick forwards.

Godfrey Walusimbi         5

At left back Walusimbi is no doubt the best option any coach can consider from the current Uganda Cranes squad but he failed to impose himself in a largely experimental side with the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup to come. 

Savio Kabugo                     7

He headed a goal bound ball off the line and cleared another in the second half. Despite the absence of club mate and defensive partner Denis Iguma, Kabugo looked comfortable all evening.

Richard Kasagga                6

He surprised many fans with his tremendous composure in the backline and excellent positional sense. He also cleaned up when Uganda was caught in a spot of bother at the back.

Oscar Agaba                       5

As one of the new names to make the starting line-up, he continued gathering confidence until the end of the match even though he didn’t set it alight.

Ayub Kisalita                      3

The SC Villa captain simply failed to turn up on the day when he could have stake his claim for a starting place in Micho for CECAFA and CHAN. The Serbian tactician was quick to haul him off at half time. 

Vincent Kayizzi                  6

Kayizzi offered a combination of commitment, experience, pace and decent crosses in the box but he needs to consider retirement from national duty as it is evident that he no longer has the legs for this level.

Brian Majwega                  6

A brilliant dribbler! For Majwega no space is small as he often often tear through the opposition backline but his teammates were not on the same wavelength.

Joseph Mpande               5

He was slow and will need to work on his sharpness in front of goal. 

Emmanuel Okwi               6

A lot more was expected from this established striker and captain of the day but he found himself fetching the balls from deep to make things happen.

SUBS: Isaac Muleme 4, Frank Kalanda 4, Muwadda Mawejje 4, Tom Matsiko 4