By James Robert Kayindi
In front of a mammoth crowd, the Uganda Cranes restored hope among the fans ahead of their clash with Ghana as they thumped Ethiopia 3–0 at Namboole Stadium on Sunday. After approximately two years, Lweza F.C skipper Michael Sserumaga returned to the national team as the Cranes swank off their style of football yesterday.
Uganda Cranes dominated the first 25minutes of the game which saw AS Vita striker Yunus Sentamu’s 16th minute strike ruled out on grounds of him being off side before Robert Odongkara saved Ethiopia’s Yusuf Saleh’s strike.
With barely five minutes left to recess, Uganda was awarded a penalty after Michael Sserumaga was fouled in the area. With all eyes and hearts set for celebration, Ethiopia’s goalie, Jaemal Tassew saved Masa’s take to a corner. Masa put his wrongs right when he scored from the resultant corner taken by Moses Oloya.
After recess, Cranes head Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic made his first substitution of the game when he brought on El-Merriekh goalkeeper, Jamal Salim for Robert Odongkara. With just two minutes after restart, Yunus Sentamu doubled the lead for the Uganda Cranes before Farouk Miya made it 3-0 five minutes after Sentamu’s strike.
Uganda Cranes XI Line Up: Robert Odongkara (45’ Jamal Salim), Isaac Isinde, Brian Majwega (77’ Habibu Kavuma), Richard Kassagga (Julius Ntambi), Savio Kabugo, Tonny Mawejje, Farouk Miya (Robert Ssentongo), Moses Oloya (65’ Hassan Wasswa), Geofrey Massa,Yunus Sentamu, Michael Sserumaga (Keziron Kizito).
In brackets are the respective substitutions made by Micho. Baker Lukooya was the only unused player on the bench.
Email Robert: robert.k.circles@gmail.com