Uganda Cranes have today failed to reach the knockout stages of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) after sharing the spoils with Zimbabwe in one-all draw at Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu, Rwanda.
In a highly contested fixture on the evening, Warriors goalkeeper, Tatenda Marshal was by all rights the man of the match having denied the Cranes at several occasions in both halves in a showcase that had Uganda Cranes Captain, Farouk Miya return into action after missing the Zambia clash while goalkeeper Ismail Watenga remained side lined. After a barren first half, William Manondo broke the deadlock just three minutes into the second half to give Zimbabwe the lead while 70th substitute Geoffrey Sserunkuma who came on for Isaac Muleme scored a late equalizer for Uganda.
The result meant that Uganda finished third with just 2 points in pool D, hence being automatically dumped out of the 2016 CHAN tournament and failing to qualify for the knockout stages on their third attempt. First was back in 2011 in Sudan during their debut appearance at the competition where they lost all three games and then later in 2014 in South Africa were they also finished third of the group with 4 points hence failing to make it out of the group. In the other game of group D, Zambia and Mali also shared the spoils in a goalless draw, a result that meant that Uganda would not have qualified for the last eight even if they had won their game with the desire score line of at least a two goal margin.
Therefore, Zambia and Mali qualified for the quarter finals from Group D with 7 and 5 points respectively while Uganda finished 3rd with 2 points as Zimbabwe came off with just one point. Team Line Ups: Uganda XI: James Alitho (G.K), Joseph Nsubuga, Isaac Muleme, Bernard Muwanga, Richard Kasagga Jjuuko, Ivan Ntege, Kezironi Kizito, Timothy Dennis Awany, Erisa Ssekisambu, Farouk Miya, Joseph Benson Ochaya Changes made by coach Micho: Samson Ceasar Okhuti came on for Richard Jjuuko Kasagga ’58 Isaac Muleme paved way for Geoffrey Sserunkuma ’70 while Edrisa Lubega replaced Erisa Ssekisambu ’78 Subs Not Used: Mathias Kigonya (G.K), Denis Okot Oola, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Hassan Wasswa Dazo, Robert Sentongo, Ambrose Kirya, Martin Kizza, Frank Kalanda
Zimbabwe XI: Marshal Tatenda Mkuruva (G.K), Lawrence Mhlanga, Joel Ngodzo, Hardlife Zvirekwi (C), Rodreck Mutuma, Bruce Kangwa, Stephen Mukatuka, Raphael Manuvire, Nqobizitha Masuku, William Manondo, Edmore Chirambadare Changes: Rodreck Mutuma came off for Moses Demera, Edmore Chirambadare came off for Ronald Chitiyo and Raphael Manuvire paved way for Farai Edwin Madhanaga Subs Not Used: Bernard Donovan (G.K),John Gerald Tungamirai Takwara, Francisco Zekumbawira.
