2023 AFCON Qualifiers

Results

Uganda 0 Tanzania 1

Algeria 2 Niger 1

Tuesday

Tanzania v Uganda

Cranes Coach Mulitin ‘Micho’ Sredejovic is confident that they have what it takes to put their 2023 AFCON campaign back on track.

Micho was speaking after Cranes lost 1-0 to Tanzania at Suez Canal Authority Stadium, Ismailia in Egypt. Cranes travelled to North Africa not to face the Pharaohs but Tanzania in a home tie that was moved away from Uganda due to the absence of a stadium that meets CAF standards.

“One goal they managed; we believe we can achieve the same in the return leg. We shall try to see that we do better in the return leg. If we can win that game then we shall be able to change our campaign. We did everything to score but were not lucky,” noted Micho

Substitute Simon Msuva scored past goalkeeper Salim Jamal Magoola in the 68th minute after a cross from Dickson Job.

Cranes who pose any threat to the opponents introduced Richard Basangwa, Steven Sserwadda, and Isma Mugulusi to add more creativity to the attack but Tanzania's defence remained solid.

Sserwadda didn't take long before he picked an injury to be replaced by Allan Okello and  Rogers Mato coming in for captain Emmanuel Okwi but with less impact

Cranes were not so lethal in the final third. They only improved in the second half but still, they were not aggressive enough and they lacked enough creativity.

The visitors dominated the game with the Mbwana Samatta, Said Khamis, and Novatus Dimiss among others piling pressure on the Cranes' defence.

Cranes will travel to Dar-es-Salaam to host Tanzania in the return leg match to be played on Tuesday.

Without a drastic turnaround, the performance of the Cranes clearly shows it will be difficult to return to the finals, especially since there was nothing to write about them.

The mindset of some of the players both on the pitch and those who came on substitutes didn't show any intent to win or even pick up a point.