Cranes beat Northern Region Select Team 2 – 0

Cranes on Saturday beat the Northern region select team two nil in perfect shape for the world cup qualifiers.

After a goal-less opening 45 minutes, KCCA FC striker Derrick Nsibambi scored twice in the 55th and 62nd minutes to help the national team defeat the northern region side as the former prepares for the world cup qualifying game with Ghana on Saturday at Namboole.

The Cranes team that played on Saturday consisted of mainly home based players but their foreign based counterparts are expected to start arriving in the country early next week to beef up the team in preparation against the Black Stars.

The game against Ghana on Saturday will be head coach Moses Basena’s third as interim coach in the World Cup qualifiers after guiding Cranes past Egypt in his first game before losing to the same team in Alexandria.

Egypt are top of the group on nine points whereas  Uganda are  second on seven points.

Ghana are third on five  points. The winner of the group will automatically qualify for world cup in Russia in 2018.

Northern Region XI: Sadam Ogwang (G.K), Ivan Okello, John Paul Acire, Ronald Owiny, Alli Muhamed, Hilary Odonkonyero, Walter Odongo, Dickens Diarra Okwir, Ronny Okullo, Richardson Asaba, Moses Aliro

Subs: Stephen Okello (G.K), Joel Akaka, Emmanuel Okwi, Julius Akwata, Denis Omedi, Brian Ocakacon, Mike Denis Ojok

Team Officials:

Head coach: Godfrey Akena
Assistant coach: Bob Obira
Uganda Cranes XI: Tom Ikara (G.K), Nico Wakiro Wadada, Isaac Muleme, Timothy Awany, Savio Kabugo, Tom Masiko, Paul Mucureezi, Moses Waiswa, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Nelson Senkatuka, David Owori

Second Team: Tom Ikara (60′ Benjamin Ochan), Fred Okot, Dan Birikwaliira, Bernard Muwanga, Tadeo Lwanga, Ibrahim Kayiwa, Emmanuel Kalyowa, Albert Mugisa, Derrick Nsibambi, Paul Mucureezi, Shafiq Kagimu