AFCON 2019 - Uganda progress to knockout stage

Jun 30, 2019

The Uganda Cranes are into the knockout stage despite losing 2-0 to Egypt.

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS EGYPT 2019

Live reporting by Joseph Kizza

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@joekizza

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1:00am

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 GOOD NIGHT/MORNING


(Uganda 0 Egypt 2)


Time to wrap it up here. Wishing Cranes first-choice goalkeeper Denis Onyango and other injured players a swift recovery.

Till then. Cheers!

 

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12:45am

'Congratulations to the team'

(Uganda 0 Egypt 2)

President Yoweri Museveni has been closely following The Cranes' performances in Egypt.

Right after Sunday's match, he posted his congratulatory message to the team upon advancing further into the competition.


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12:40am

Sebastien Desabre breaks decades-long jinx

(Uganda 0 Egypt 2)

Before Sunday night, the last man to guide Uganda to the knockout stage was Peter Okee -- in 1978, when The Cranes finished as runners-up.

After Sunday night's duel against Egypt, Frenchman Sebastien Desabre becomes the first Cranes coach since Okee's feat to shephard Uganda to the knockout phase of the Nations Cup.

 

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12:36am

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 'Great show'


(Uganda 0 Egypt 2)


I agree, Winifred!

 

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12:30am

Another solid performance by Uganda

(Uganda 0 Egypt 2)

Don't be fooled by the scoreline. in truth, The Cranes gave The Pharaohs a good run for their money inside an effervescent Cairo International Stadium.

Mexican Javier Aguirre knows the Ugandans put up a solid production against his men despite needing the intervention of star player Mohamed Salah and captain fantastic Ahmed Elmohamady.

Any keen observer would say that this was an entertaining game. Egypt's vulnerability exposed not once, not twice. Uganda's potency also brought to the fore.



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12:22am

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 Ahmed Elmohamady named man of the match


(Uganda 0 Egypt 2)


The man of the match honours go to the Egyptian skipper.

Inside the Ugandan camp, Abdu Lumala, to me, was phenomenal tonight and equally deserves similar recognition in a solid team performance by The Cranes.


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12:15am

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 How Group A has ended


(Uganda 0 Egypt 2)


Hosts and record holders Egypt have taken maximum points, Uganda in second, DR Congo in third and Zimbabwe's journey has ended with a point to show for.


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12:02am

DR Congo still in it

(Zimbabwe 0 DR Congo 4)

Florent Ibenge's men had one last trick up their sleeves, I must say. And how timely it was!

After suffering defeat against Uganda and Egypt in their first two games, DR Congo have clawed themselves back into contention for a place in the knockout stage with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over a hapless Zimbabwe.

There are four places up for grabs for the best top-three finishers across the six groups. With Sunday night's performance, The Leopards have placed themselves in the thick of this contest.

 

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11:55pm

FULL TIME: UGANDA ADVANCE TO KNOCKOUT STAGE

(Uganda 0 Egypt 2)

Despite losing against The Pharaohs, The Uganda Cranes have progressed to the knockout stage, after finishing second in Group A, for the first time in 41 years.

Mohamed Salah and co, meanwhile, have registered a clean sweep in the group stage, bagging all the nine points on offer.

 

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90min (+3)

Late Egypt surge

(Uganda 0 Egypt 2)

It is deep in stoppage time and the hosts want a third goal to add gloss to the scoreline. Great defending by The Cranes rids Robert Ondongkara's box of the danger.

The ball falls back to The Pharaohs, who thread it back to Mohamed Salah, but the star striker can't get to the ball in time.

 

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90min

FIVE MINUTES OF ADDED TIME

(Uganda 0 Egypt 2)

Plenty of time for Uganda to find at least a consolation goal.

 

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87min

Egypt going for third win in four

(Uganda 0 Egypt 2)

If it ends like this, which will be the case, it will be Egypt's third win against Uganda in their last four meetings.

 

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84min

Mohamed Elshenawy down hurt

(Uganda 0 Egypt 2)

The Egyptian goalkeeper is down. Minutes later, swift medical attention gets him back on his feet.

Meanwhile, DR Congo are ripping Zimbabwe to shreds. 4-0! The Leopards have rediscovered their roar!


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76min

CLOSE! - Uganda (Emmanuel Okwi)

(Uganda 0 Egypt 2)

Okwi wants to make it three goals in three games. He is about to, after beating Egyptian defender Ahmed Hegazy deep inside the box. Mohamed Elshenawy comes out to block, but the ball evades him and sneaks out of play.

A slight adjustment in caliberation by the Ugandan would have seen it go into the back of the net.

 

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74min

ELSEWHERE . . . DR Congo leading 3-0

(Zimbabwe 0 DR Congo 3)

Good news for Uganda.

At June Stadium, Cedric Bakambu has improved The Leopards' lead against The Warriors from the spot.

 

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69min

DENIS ONYANGO IS DOWN - AND OUT!

(Uganda 0 Egypt 2)

Look away now Cranes supporters.

It is worrying scenes inside Cairo International Stadium, particularly for the Ugandan camp.

Denis Onyango, The Cranes captain, suddenly goes on his knees and requires prolonged medical attention on the pitch. Could it be the heat? It is very humid inside the stadium.

The Ugandan first-choice goalie is carted off the pitch and is replaced by Robert Ondongkara.

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65min

Salah silenced - for now

(Uganda 0 Egypt 2)

The Cranes have worked very hard. And they have played very, very well against the hosts, despite trailing.

They have kept Mohamed Salah silenced in this second half.


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60min

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 YELLOW CARD - Ahmed Elmohamady


(Uganda 0 Egypt 2)


The first booking of the game goes to Pharaohs skipper Ahmed Elmohamady for clattering Emmanuel Okwi near the edge of the Egytian box.


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54min

CLOSE! - Uganda (Farouk Miya)

(Uganda 0 Egypt 2)

Farouk Miya has yet to find the back of the net in this tournament -- but he has been instrumental in Uganda's performances.

Another Cranes production upfront sees him strike from close range, but his goal-bound shot is deflected over the bar.

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53min

GREAT SAVE! - Denis Onyango

(Uganda 0 Egypt 2)

Mohamed Salah is clean through -- with only keeper to beat.

The Liverpool star, eyeing a third goal of the campaign and second of the night, tries to curl the ball around Denis Onyango, but the lanky Ugandan keeper comes out all guns blazing and stretches his right hand out to block the effort, spilling the ball to an Egyptian player, who tries to dink the ball into the half-guarded goal.

Danger is swiftly cleared.

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48min

Strong return for The Cranes

(Uganda 0 Egypt 2)

Can Uganda pull one back in this contest? It has been a bright restart for Sebastien Desabre's boys. Keep the momentum going and a goal might just come.


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11:02pm

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 SECOND HALF UNDERWAY


(Uganda 0 Egypt 2)


Action returns in Cairo. The Cranes get the sphere in motion.

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10:54pm

AS IT STANDS - Egypt, Uganda through

(Zimbabwe 0 DR Congo 2)

The Cranes may be trailing at Cairo International Stadium, but across the city, at the June Stadium, DR Congo are leading Zimbabwe 2-0 at half time.

If it remains this way, Uganda will remain in second place and automcatically progress.

 
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10:50pm

HALF TIME - Egypt in commanding lead

(Uganda 0 Egypt 2)

Uganda have played very well in this half and perhaps deserve to have a goal or two.

But it is the hosts that have been clinical and are leading through Mohamed Salah and Ahmed Elmohamady's strikes.

 

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45min

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 GOAL! - Egypt (Ahmed Elmohamady)


(Uganda 0 Egypt 2)


Uganda punished again. Could not hold on until the break.

A powerful run forward by Ayman Ashraf ends with the Egyptian defender threading a low pass into the Ugandan box. It has enough power to evade a couple of Cranes defenders, and lands on captain Ahmed Elmohamady, who makes no mistake.

His fierce shot takes a slight deflection off Hassan Wasswa on its way past an outstretched Denis Onyango.

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43min

CLOSE! - Uganda (Abdu Lumala)

(Uganda 0 Egypt 1)

He has been phenomenal so far, Abdu Lumala. A great through-ball finds him, he drills his way into the attack and blasts from an acute angle, forcing the goalkeeper into another fine save.

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36min

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 GOAL! - Egypt (Mohamed Salah)


(Uganda 0 Egypt 1)


That's what he does. Always!

Uganda have been deadly in setpieces, especially in previous performances. But the tables of fortune have turned. A freekick for the hosts on the edge of the box has Mohamed Salah ready to deliver.

The Liverpool man, all eyes eagerly on him, curls the ball past Denis Onyango and into the back of the net. Clean goal! A routine strike from the 27-year-old attacker.

 

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34min

CLOSE! - Uganda (Abdu Lumala)

(Uganda 0 Egypt 0)

Another great opportunity for Uganda. Abdu Lumala is on the attack deep on the left flank. He beats Baher Elmohamady for the paces and strikes. The Egyptian goalkeeper punches it out back into the Ugandan's path but his header back is weak.

The Cranes are having a good spell. Can they turn their chances into goals?

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30min

CLOSE! - Uganda (Allan  Kyambadde)

(Uganda 0 Egypt 0)

OOF! That was close! KCCA FC man Allan Kyambadde feels a little adventurous and he tries his luck from several yards out. The shot has plenty of weight to it and it unsettles Mohamed Elshenawy, who has to tip the effort over the bar.

A wild shot, that one!


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28min

Lethal Cranes

(Uganda 0 Egypt 0)

Interestingly, Uganda have turned very potent in this half so far. They have launched four attacks versus Egypt's zero attacks.

 

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24min

SUBSTITUTION - Egypt (Hassan off)

(Uganda 0 Egypt 0)

It is early reforms for the hosts. That injury that Ahmed Hassan suffered won't let him stay on the pitch any longer. He is again carted off the pitch and this time, he won't be back.

Marwan Mohsen replaces him.

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19min

Hassan goes down under an Aucho challenge

(Uganda 0 Egypt 0)

Play is paused. Ahmed Hassan is down after being hit hard by Khalid Aucho. It was not intentional, as the Ugandan was clearly going for the ball. The Egyptian forward has to be stretchered off the pitch aboard a cart amid evident protests from one of his teammates.

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13min

CLOSE! - Uganda (Emmanuel Okwi)

(Uganda 0 Egypt 0)

He has scored two goals already in this campaign, one against DR Congo and another against Zimbabwe. The Simba SC forward is looking for one against Egypt.

He tries, when he drives into the Egyptian third on the left flank, turns on his right foot, before letting rip goalwards, drawing Mohamed Elshenawy into a well-worked save.

After a frenzied start, the match has eventually settled down into a real contest, with The Cranes having chances.

 

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09min

OUCH! - Uganda (Abdu Lumala)

(Uganda 0 Egypt 0)

Ugandan Abdu Lumala, who has a distinct mop of tinted hair, is down, receiving on-pitch medical attention. Replays show that as Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy made a clearance, the ball struck the Ugandan forward across his ear.

Ouch! He must be having a thousand bells ringing inside his ear. Never good scenes, these.

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06min

CLOSE! - Uganda (Farouk Miya)

(Uganda 0 Egypt 0)

The Cranes have found their footing. A burst into the Egyptian box ends in a clearance that gifts Uganda the first corner of the night. Farouk Miya will take it. He does, but the delivery is cleared and ends back to him.

The 22-year-old HNK Gorica forward, still lurking near the corner, receives the spill, dances past his minder and whips in a low shot that is saved by Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy. Great vision by the youngster.

Javier Aguirre is rallying his Egyptian side to regain control of the game.

 

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03min

Egypt out of the blocks

(Uganda 0 Egypt 0)

The hosts, wearing all white tonight, have started strongly. They are spreading the ball  across the pitch in these early periods of a highly watched game.

The 70,000-seater Cairo International Stadium is bubbling with life. An atmosphere befitting what promises to be a thrilling battle!

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10:00pm

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 KICKOFF!

(Uganda 0 Egypt 0)

Egypt get the ball rolling. Game on!


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9:53pm

Here come the teams

(Uganda v Egypt at 10:00pm)

The teams have walked out onto the Cairo International Stadium turf. Kickoff around the corner.

 

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9:51pm

Starting XI: Egypt

(Uganda v Egypt at 10:00pm)

Mohamed Elshenawy, Baher Elmohamady, Ahmed Elmohamady, Ahmed Hegazy, Ayman Ashraf, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Mohamed Elneny, Abdallah Elsaid, Nabil Donga, Mohamed Salah, Ahmed Hassan

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9:47pm

Starting XI: Uganda

(Uganda v Egypt at 10:00pm)

Denis Onyango (C), Timothy Awany, Nico Wadada, Godfrey Walusimbi, Hassan Wasswa, Khalid Aucho, Farouk Miya, Alla Kyambadde, Michael Azira, Emmanuel Okwi, Abdu Lumala

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9:43pm

Zimbabwe face DR Congo

(Uganda v Egypt at 10:00pm)

Meanwhile, the other Group A match between Zimbabwe and DR Congo will be played at the same time as the Uganda v Egypt one. Zimbabwe are in third with one point while DR Congo have yet to register a point so far.

This duel will unfold at the June Stadium, also in the capital Cairo.

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9:35pm

Fully behind you, boys!

(Uganda v Egypt at 10:00pm)

The She Cranes, Uganda's national netball side, are rallying behind their compatriots.

Next month (which starts in a couple of hours from now) they, too, will be in a battle of their own when they take part in the 2019 Netball World Cup in England. Great spirit, ladies!


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9:23pm

Denis who?

(Uganda v Egypt at 10:00pm)

But on the other side is another name revered on the continent. Denis Onyango.

The Ugandan first-choice goalie, who plays for South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns, is famous for his steely presence in between the sticks.

In fact, he has fans in Egypt too. Never mind that some don't get his second name quite accurately.

 

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9:17pm

More from Mo?

(Uganda v Egypt at 10:00pm)

One man that is on the lips of many Egyptians is Mohamed Salah. The Liverpool forward has scored one goal so far in this campaign. His potency in the final third of the opposition is without doubt.

How will The Cranes stop him? I am sure this has been one topic on top of Uganda's pep talk agenda.

 

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9:10pm

All attention on Egypt

(Uganda v Egypt at 10:00pm)

Not long ago, defending champions Cameroon were supposed to host this edition of Africa's flagship football competition. But then, the script changed and circumstances led to Egypt being picked to take on the hosting responsibilities.

So far, it is a job well done. Credit to the hosts.

The group stages have gone on well in the various stadia across the country. Tonight, we shall have our attention particularly on Cairo International Stadium.

Big, big game for Uganda!

 
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9:00pm

Top-of-the-table clash

(Uganda v Egypt at 10:00pm)

Hello everyone, welcome to round three of Group A, where Uganda will be facing off with hosts Egypt in Cairo.

The Pharaohs, with two wins already, are through to the knockout stage. The Cranes, on four points from their two games played so far, are in second place and will confirm progression to the next round with at least a draw tonight.

The Ugandan fans have already taken their spots inside Cairo International Stadium . . .

 


. . . and so have the Egyptian fans.

 



Mohamed Elshenawy

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