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Uganda and Rwanda meet again on Sunday at the same Kigali Pele Stadium in the second leg.
Coach Ayub Khalifa has admitted that he failed to control the game as the Uganda Crested Cranes lost the lead twice to draw 3-3 with Rwanda in round one of the 2024 Olympic qualifier in Kigali on Wednesday.
Uganda was forced to host the game in its opponents’ backyard because of a lack of facilities in the country.
Mukahirwa opened the game as Rwanda took the lead shortly after 30 minutes, but Shakirah Nyinagahirwa levelled matters deep in the additional time of the first half.
Hasifah Nassuna gave the Crested Cranes the lead nine minutes from the spot, but Rwanda equalised through Nibagwire Libelle in the 66th.
Fazila Ikwaput restored the lead, but a defensive lapse saw the team concede another equaliser through Usanase Zawadi.
“When it came to the second half, I failed to control the game, and that is why they scored, and it ended 3-3; We squandered very many chances which, if scored, would have demoralised them,” Khalifa acknowledged.
He explained further: “There was a problem with my backline because when they penetrated through to reach our back, it would be very dangerous. For example, goal number three was a mistake. This situation has left us with a hill to climb.”
The two sides meet again on Sunday at the same Kigali Pele Stadium in the second leg.
The aggregate winner of the tie will face Cameroon in the next round.
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