Uganda Cranes make flying start
Nov 29, 2010
THE Uganda Cranes kicked off their CECAFA title defence with an unconvincing 2-1 victory over Ethiopia but will have to raise their game if they are to go past the other Group C rivals Kenya and Malawi.
By Abdallah Mubiru in Dar es Salaam
Ethiopia 1 Uganda 2
Malawi 3 Kenya 2
Today
Zambia v Burundi
Somalia v Tanzania
THE Uganda Cranes kicked off their CECAFA title defence with an unconvincing 2-1 victory over Ethiopia but will have to raise their game if they are to go past the other Group C rivals Kenya and Malawi.
Defender Simeon Masaba’s first half penalty and a Henry Kisekka second half volley immediately after restart, ensured that the Cranes walked away with all three points in their opening game. The Ugandans return against Malawi on Thursday.
Torrid weather
Coach Bobby Williamson’s charges had a shaky first half in the scorching temperatures which the tactician blamed for the poor display.
“The weather here is really disappointing. You have to sympathise with the players because it’s not easy playing in such hot conditions,†complained Williamson.
The Ethiopia’s Antelopes controlled the midfield and dictated the early exchanges, coming close on several occasions.
They did not wait long and in the 25th minute, Bekele Dodo found himself unmarked in the Cranes box to beat Robert Odongokara with a low shot for the Ethiopians to take a deserved lead.
On the opposite end, Kisekka had just watched his first time shot hit the post off Dan Wagaluka’s right hand cross.
Cranes take control
After Dodo’s goal, the Cranes played with some purpose and Steven Bengo and Mike Sserumaga should have done better to put away the open chances that came their way.
With ten minutes to the half time whistle, Cranes left back Godfrey Walusimbi burst into the opponents’ area only for an Ethiopian defender to illegally fell him for the penalty. The Cranes faithful had their hearts skip a beat as Masaba’s kick hit the post before settling in the opposite corner of the net for the equaliser.
Two minutes into the second half, the Antelopes’ keeper Binyam Mekonen let a long tame cross by Masaba slip from his grip and Kisekka was on hand to slam the ball into the net.
The Cranes would have killed off the game after that goal but they preferred to dilly-dally instead of shooting when they had their opponents on the back foot.
In fact the Ugandans were lucky to have earned all three points after a late onslaught by the Ethiopians failed to yield a goal.
Malawi lead the group on goal difference after beating Kenya 3-2 in the late game.
Ethiopia 1 Uganda 2
Malawi 3 Kenya 2
Today
Zambia v Burundi
Somalia v Tanzania
THE Uganda Cranes kicked off their CECAFA title defence with an unconvincing 2-1 victory over Ethiopia but will have to raise their game if they are to go past the other Group C rivals Kenya and Malawi.
Defender Simeon Masaba’s first half penalty and a Henry Kisekka second half volley immediately after restart, ensured that the Cranes walked away with all three points in their opening game. The Ugandans return against Malawi on Thursday.
Torrid weather
Coach Bobby Williamson’s charges had a shaky first half in the scorching temperatures which the tactician blamed for the poor display.
“The weather here is really disappointing. You have to sympathise with the players because it’s not easy playing in such hot conditions,†complained Williamson.
The Ethiopia’s Antelopes controlled the midfield and dictated the early exchanges, coming close on several occasions.
They did not wait long and in the 25th minute, Bekele Dodo found himself unmarked in the Cranes box to beat Robert Odongokara with a low shot for the Ethiopians to take a deserved lead.
On the opposite end, Kisekka had just watched his first time shot hit the post off Dan Wagaluka’s right hand cross.
Cranes take control
After Dodo’s goal, the Cranes played with some purpose and Steven Bengo and Mike Sserumaga should have done better to put away the open chances that came their way.
With ten minutes to the half time whistle, Cranes left back Godfrey Walusimbi burst into the opponents’ area only for an Ethiopian defender to illegally fell him for the penalty. The Cranes faithful had their hearts skip a beat as Masaba’s kick hit the post before settling in the opposite corner of the net for the equaliser.
Two minutes into the second half, the Antelopes’ keeper Binyam Mekonen let a long tame cross by Masaba slip from his grip and Kisekka was on hand to slam the ball into the net.
The Cranes would have killed off the game after that goal but they preferred to dilly-dally instead of shooting when they had their opponents on the back foot.
In fact the Ugandans were lucky to have earned all three points after a late onslaught by the Ethiopians failed to yield a goal.
Malawi lead the group on goal difference after beating Kenya 3-2 in the late game.