Uganda Cranes shock Togo in world qualifier match
What you need to know:
Playing before a capacity crowd, Uganda showed intentions of vengeance against the Togolese side with massive raids that should have yielded even more goals than scored.
It was in indeed sweet victory for the Ugandan side after they suffered big loss to Togo in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, losing 1 - 0 both home and away.
Uganda Cranes enhanced chances of playing at the 2018 World Cup after walloping Togo 3 - 0 in a qualifier match played on Sunday at Kampala’s Nelson Mandela National stadium.
Uganda, who shocked Togo 1 - 0 in the first leg played last Thursday in Lome, dominated play after overcoming their opponents in the better part of the first half .
It was in indeed sweet victory for the Ugandan side after they suffered big loss to Togo in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, losing 1 - 0 both home and away.
Playing before a capacity crowd, Uganda showed intentions of vengeance against the Togolese side with massive raids that should have yielded even more goals than scored.
Cranes’ towering striker Geoffrey Massa struck in the 4th minute after good combination with versatile midfielder Tonny Mawejje.
And Massa should have stretched Uganda’s lead nine minutes later but his shot was parried to a fruitless corner by Togo goalkeeper Djehani N’guissad.
A brace by youthful Farouk Miya in the 41st and 45th minus was enough for the Cranes to book a place in the next group stage as Uganda dominated the game.
ONYANGO STOOD OUT
Ugandan goal keeper Denis Onyango was outstanding and thwarted dangerous moves from Togolese strikers to bring the match to a 3 – 0 at recess.
The second half did not produce any goals as Uganda tried to cool the game while Togo strived to score goals.
Uganda coach Sredojevic Micho said the Togolese side is not an easy side, adding his boys followed his instructions to score early goals in the match.
“ The Togolese side is hard but my boys followed my instructions to score early goals,” he said. The Ugandan tactician said the next round is going to be even tougher, and would call for vigorous training and preparations.
The best performance by Uganda in football was in 1978 when the Cranes lost 2 – 0 to Ghana’s Black Stars in the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Meanwhile, Bundesliga star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang converted his penalty shootout kick on Saturday as Gabon became the first team to reach the third round of African 2018 World Cup qualifying.
Gabon beat Mozambique 4-3 on penalties following extra time in Libreville after Gabon won 1-0 to level the second-round tie at 1-1 on aggregate.
