By James Robert Kayindi
Uganda Cranes had a good start as they embarked on another quest for the AFCON qualification on Saturday at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole as they edged Botswana 2-0.
Two second half goals from Cranes’ day Captain Geoffrey Massa and Brian Umony were enough to see off Botswana in the two sides’ group D opener of the 2017 Afcon qualifiers.
Massa led by example as he inspired the team with a lead in the 54th minute after beating Botswana’s defence to an offside trap when he headed home from William Luwagga’s cross. The goal put Massa on a personally tally of 12 leaving David Obua on 11 making him Uganda’s lead goal scorer in the Afcon/World Cup qualifying campaigns.
Brian Umony, who features for Ethiopia’s champions St George Football Club, doubled the lead for the Cranes in the 65th minute.
In the other game of group D, Burkina Faso condemned Comoros to a 2-0 defeat to jointly lead the group log with Uganda.
Uganda Cranes XI: Denis Onyango (G.K), Denis Iguma, Godfrey Walusimbi, Isaac Isinde, Richard Juuko Kasagga, Khalid Aucho, William Luwagga Kizito, Farouk Miya, Brian Umony, Geoffrey Massa, Brian Majwega
Substitutions made: Robert Sentongo For Godfrey Walusimbi, Yunus Sentamu For Brian Umony, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda For William Luwagga Kizito
Subs Not Used: Robert Odongkara (G.K), Shafik Bakaki, Alex Kakuba, Yassar Mugerwa
Email Robert: Robert.k.circles@gmail.com