Brave Cranes Succumb to Egypt’s Lucky Punch

A seventh minute goal was enough for Misr to revenge their first leg loss to Uganda in a night match at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria City.

The Pharaohs saw the back of the net through Liverpool player Muhammad Salah’s rebound after Cranes goalkeeper Denis Onyango kept him out in the first shot.

The Egyptians felt they could have put more goals past Uganda but they relied on an inopportune 6 minute goal. They were deterred by Dennis Onyango’s saves that saw the Cranes’ host miss a number of goals.

Uganda Cranes acquitted themselves quite well in the circumstances. Other than the goal by Salah, the Pharaohs know that they wrestled a Nile Crocodile and survived with a lucky punch.

The sole goal put the Pharaohs at the top of group E with nine points followed by Uganda with 7 points collected from 4 games.

Coach Basena was impressed by Cranes spirited performance.

“We lost gallantly. We put up a spirited performance away from home. I am impressed by the team’s overall display,” Basena remarked.

Earlier, Ghana beat Congo Brazaville 5-1 to move to 5 points.

Uganda has 2 more games to play. Cranes will host Ghana in October before travelling to Congo Brazaville later this year. Soccer being soccer, Ghana and Congo Brazaville can falter paving way for the  Cranes.

The winner of each group will qualify for the 2018 world Cup finals in Russia.

World Cup Qualifiers Group E standings through match day 4:

Egypt?? 9 (+3)

Uganda?? 7 (+1)

Ghana?? 5 (+2)

Congo?? 1 (-6)

Uganda Cranes XI:
Denis Onyango (Goal Keeper), Nico Wakiro Wadada, Godfrey Walusimbi, Isaac Isinde, Murushid Juuko, Wasswa Hassan Mawanda,Khalid Aucho, Emmanuel Arnold Okwi, Faruku Miya, Derrick Nsibambi,  Joseph Benson Ochaya

Substitutes:
Ismail Watenga (Goal Keeper), Benjamin Ochan (Goal Keeper), Bernard Muwanga, Ivan Ntege, Muzamiru Mutyaba, William Luwagga Kizito, Milton Karisa, Isaac Muleme, Geoffrey Serunkuma.

Photos: FUFA Media