Uganda vs Liberia player ratings

By Swalley Kenyi

UGANDA Cranes players have pocketed sh1.5m each for their 1-0 win courtesy of the Tonny Mawejje lone goal in the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Liberia at Namboole on Saturday.

Each of the players got a uniform figure at Sky Hotel with likelihood to increase it if Angola falls here on Saturday.

“I’m very proud of you all. You did the country proud and you deserve to be rewarded. This (bonus) will even be two times this if we can beat Angola in our next game,” Mulindwa said as he gave out the cash after the match.

The New Vision Sport gives you the platform to apportion what figure each of the first eleven players would have earned if the bonus was rated out of 10 points according to performance on Saturday.

Robert Odongkara (7)

He was always alert in between the post and this helped him frustrate the opponent let alone foil one-on-one moves given his shaky backline especially on the right. Generally he had good game reading. 

Dennis Iguma (6)

He played an invisible doing the basics that an ordinary defender does, play away the ball. But his confidence made the opponent cautious in confrontation and indeed Liberians only frequented his line midway in first half and late in the last half. 

Godfrey Walusimbi (6)

Despite his off-field problems that plagued him ahead of the match, Walusimbi did his part on the left flank but he was not at his best in set piece situations where he usually delivers to everyone’s satisfaction.

Isaac Isinde (7)

Arguably he was the smallest of the Cranes players on the pitch after fellow defender Godfrey Walusimbi but the way he contained towering Liberian striker Wleh Patrick Ronaldinho, Oliseh Sekou and even team captain Anthony Laffor. But it is worth noting that because all the players had bigger mass than his the confrontations lowered his confidence.

Andy Mwesigwa (7)

He played like the team captain that he is as he patrolled between his box to defend and the opponent’s but as is often Mwesigwa had his lapses which he quickly fixed. And no wonder Coach Milutin Sredojević has promised to pay special attention to the backline ahead of Saturday.

Hassan Wasswa (6)

His role in the midfield basic but he arguably one who has blended well with partner Geoffrey Baba Kizito. Though futile, his trick to keep poking the ball in to the opponent’s box for his strikers to finish was worth commending.

Geoffrey Baba Kizito (7)

He had good game reading and thus performed above average. His ball control, splitting passes and calculative movements as he charged forward pushing Tonny Mawejje further is what Cranes needed on Saturday.

Kizito Luwagga (4)

Playing his first ever senior match in front of three quarters parked Nambole stadium, Luwagga was only visible for the first 20minutes of first half. His run that usually assimilates the opponents towards him exposing them to concede is what missed. Fairly Sredojević substituted him for Martin Mutumba in acknowledgement that fact Luwagga is still maturing. 

Tonny Mawejje (8)

He executed his instructions to play behind the strikers to the dot. Just when the opponent’s defenders had set eyes on the known strikers, it was Mawejje who re-directed the ball into the net behind the Liberian goalkeeper.  

Geoffrey Massa (7)

He either scores or he will keep the defenders cursing with his powerful runs quick to fall in the box and fantastic shots. He had most beautiful shot of the match on Saturday which the Liberian goalkeeper only recognised as it bounced back into play. Unfortunately the referee ruled it for offside. 

Emma Okwi (6)

His usually sharp attacks were not seen. Generally he was slow and waited for the moment he was alone. He ran with the ball until it was intercepted. But it was good the Lone Stars defence had no time to relax with him in play.