Uganda hold Malawi in CECAFA game
THERE is something majestic about the Cranes at CECAFA tournaments. When it comes to CECAFA, it gets the result, even when they are un-impressive like yesterday against Malawi.
By Abdallah Mubiru
in Dar es Salaam
Cecafa SENIOR
Challenge Cup
Uganda 1 Malawi 1
Kenya 1 Ethiopia 2
THERE is something majestic about the Cranes at CECAFA tournaments. When it comes to CECAFA, it gets the result, even when they are un-impressive like yesterday against Malawi.
Cranes came from a goal down to force a draw against a more tactically organized Malawi to stretch its CECAFA unbeaten record to 14 matches.
The draw virtually put Bobby Williamson’s side to the quarterfinals. All the Cranes, who are tying at four points with Malawi, require is a point in their final group match against Kenya on Sunday. Should Malawi beat Ethiopia then Uganda will advance even with a loss.
Striker Victor Nyirenda gave Malawi a the 2nd minute lead and it took Uganda 80 minutes of toiling before substitute Emma Okwi equalized. Okwi scored from a goal mouth melee after Dan Wagaluka’s good sole effort on the right wing.
This was the second time for Malawi to score in the opening minutes of the game. They scored against Kenya in 57th seconds. On Cranes part, it is the second time they concede first.
Cranes coach Williamson’s decision to congest the midfield with five midfielders in Tony Mawejje, Musa Mude, Owen Kasule, Patrick Ochan and Mike Serumaga, almost cost his team a defeat due to lack of width in attack.
It was the introduction of Dan Wagaluka, Cranes only typical winger on the pack, that brought life to their attack that lacked creativity.
“After watching Malawi play in their opening game against Kenya, I realized that they were strong in the midfield and the only solution was to outnumber them in that department,†noted Williamson.
The Scot tactician went on to say that the inclusion of Wagaluka in later stages of the game, was tactical and he was not surprised that it yielded results because he knew it could be difficult for Malawi defenders to adjust to defending against wingers at that time when they are exhausted.
in Dar es Salaam
Cecafa SENIOR
Challenge Cup
Uganda 1 Malawi 1
Kenya 1 Ethiopia 2
THERE is something majestic about the Cranes at CECAFA tournaments. When it comes to CECAFA, it gets the result, even when they are un-impressive like yesterday against Malawi.
Cranes came from a goal down to force a draw against a more tactically organized Malawi to stretch its CECAFA unbeaten record to 14 matches.
The draw virtually put Bobby Williamson’s side to the quarterfinals. All the Cranes, who are tying at four points with Malawi, require is a point in their final group match against Kenya on Sunday. Should Malawi beat Ethiopia then Uganda will advance even with a loss.
Striker Victor Nyirenda gave Malawi a the 2nd minute lead and it took Uganda 80 minutes of toiling before substitute Emma Okwi equalized. Okwi scored from a goal mouth melee after Dan Wagaluka’s good sole effort on the right wing.
This was the second time for Malawi to score in the opening minutes of the game. They scored against Kenya in 57th seconds. On Cranes part, it is the second time they concede first.
Cranes coach Williamson’s decision to congest the midfield with five midfielders in Tony Mawejje, Musa Mude, Owen Kasule, Patrick Ochan and Mike Serumaga, almost cost his team a defeat due to lack of width in attack.
It was the introduction of Dan Wagaluka, Cranes only typical winger on the pack, that brought life to their attack that lacked creativity.
“After watching Malawi play in their opening game against Kenya, I realized that they were strong in the midfield and the only solution was to outnumber them in that department,†noted Williamson.
The Scot tactician went on to say that the inclusion of Wagaluka in later stages of the game, was tactical and he was not surprised that it yielded results because he knew it could be difficult for Malawi defenders to adjust to defending against wingers at that time when they are exhausted.