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The Cranes needed to avoid defeat to keep their chances of returning to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alive, but took all three thanks to added time winner that silenced the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
Rogers Mato scored a late winner as Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic’s side beat Tanzania 1-0 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium to resurrect Uganda’s chances of qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final.
The Cranes needed to avoid defeat to keep their chances of returning to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alive, but took all three thanks to added time winner that silenced the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
The result means Uganda have won their first game of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, while it more importantly might have bought Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic more time.
Ahead of the game, the spotlight was on ‘Micho who admitted to carrying enormous pressure on his shoulders especially after his side succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to their hosts last Friday.
Micho urged his side to relish the pressure situation they find themselves in, and turn it into an opportunity to produce a response.
The Serbian made four changes to his side, Timothy Awany, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Ismail Mugulusi and Richard Basangwa all involved from the start.
But the game did not have its expected ‘action packed’ start, as either side seemed to gauge each other from the start.
The Cranes were second best against their neighbours, who dominated possession but struggled to create with Simon Msuva’s shot inside three minutes the only time he was called into action.
Uganda on the other hand was once again disappointing, having completely nothing to throw at their hosts throughout the first half
The game however had a lengthy break in the 39th minute, as sections of the floodlights went off, forcing a painstaking 35-minute wait before it resumed for the last seven minutes before the break.
The second half had a livelier start from either side. Although it is Tanzania that yet again applied itself well on the game, continuing to dominate possession, but failed to make it stick.
And were made to pay for that late on in the game, when Mato ran through on goal before slotting past Aishi Manula much to the relief of boss Micho.
Uganda now climb into third on the standing in Group F, on four points, level with Tanzania after four games.
With Algeria already sealing qualification from the group, the two nations will scrap for the remaining slot.
Uganda’s remaining qualifiers see them host Algeria before they visit Niger, while Tanzania hosts Niger and will conclude their qualification campaign against Algeria when the qualifiers resume in June and September.
How they lined up:
Uganda Cranes XI: Salim Jamal Magoola (GK), Kenneth Ssemakula, Abdu Aziiz Kayondo, Halidi Lwaliwa Timothy Awany, Khalid Aucho, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Isma Mugulusi, Richard Basangwa, Emmauel Okwi (C), Joseph Ochaya
Tanzania XI: Aishi Manula (GK), Mohamed Husseini, Novatus Miroshi, Ibrahim Abdallah Hamad, Job Dickson, Mzamiru Yasin, Himid Mao Mkami, Mudathir Yahya, Simon Msuva, Abdul Hamisi Suleiman, Mbwana Samatta
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