Sinan Rajub SENOGA
The Uganda Cranes have suffered a 3-1 defeat to Mozambique in the Group G game of the World Cup Qualifiers at the Cairo International Stadium.
Pedro Santos who grabbed a brace and Stanley Ratifo were on target for Mozambique while Shaban Muhammad’s goal turned out to be a mere consolation.
Mozambique got off a bright start as Santos scored a direct corner kick as early as the 3rd minute of the game.
Shaban responded quickly with a header from Allan Okello’s teasing free-kick three minutes later.
Santos restored Mozambique’s lead after goalkeeper Ismail Watenga failed to deal with a feeble low cross in the 16th minute.
The Cranes were reduced to 10-men as Denis Omedi was sent off for a second bookable offense in the 38th minute.
Stanley Ratifo made it three for Mozambique in the third of the added four minutes to put the game beyond reach for Uganda.
Paul Put made a reactionary change at the start of the second half as Nafian Alionzi took Watenga’s place.
Okello had an attempt to halve the deficit but his left footed strike hit the cross bar following Bwomono’s cut back in the 58th minute.
With Cranes chasing the game, Put brought on Steven Mukwala and Ronald Ssekiganda for Shaban and Bwomono in the 73rd minute.
Bwomono’s withdrawal subsequently sent Kenneth Semakula, who had started as a defensive midfielder, back to the right back position.
Aucho also had his goal bound shot saved by the Mozambique keeper Ernan Siluane as the clock ticked towards the 90th minute mark.
The final Cranes sub saw Sweden based Calvin Kabuye replace Okello in the 87th mark.
The dreadful result leaves the Cranes second from bottom on the 6-team table of Group G with six points accumulated from five games played.
The Cranes will embark on a journey back home to face Guinea on Tuesday 25th March at Namboole.
Uganda Cranes XI; Isima Watenga (Alionzi Nafian), Elvis Bwomono (Ronald Ssekiganda), Aziz Kayondo, Elio Capradossi, Bevis Mugabi, Khalid Aucho (C), Kenneth Semakula, Allan Okello (Calvin Kabuye), Shaban Muhammad (Steven Mukwala), Denis Omedi, Jude Ssemugabi
