Custodian Charles Lukwago was the hero as Uganda Cranes knocked out Tajikistan 5-4 on penalties following a one all draw in normal time on Friday at Navbahor Stadium to sail through this year’s Navruz cup final.
Uganda started on a bright note breaking the deadlock just seven minutes into the start through skipper Emmanuel Okwi who headed in a Miya Faruku free kick from the left after left back Herbert Achai was fouled.
Make shift right back Allan Kyambadde committed a foul on the far right corner in the 15th minute the resultant free kick was squandered by the opponents.
Four minutes later, Moses Waiswa clever through Ball from the middle of the pack was picked up by Milton Karisa who unselfishly cut back to an unmarked Okwi but the keeper came to the rescue.
In a space of five minutes, Bobosi Byaruhanga had his trademark thunder bolt saved by the Tajikistan goalie after initial brilliant interplay between Karisa and Okwi.
With seven minutes to recess, Lukwago gifted Tajikistan with an equalizer as his clearance of a back pass from Bobosi fell straight to Alisher Djalilov who made no mistake to level matters.
A quarter into the second stanza, Milutin Sredojevic side made a double change introducing Fahad Bayo and Allan Okello for Miya and debutant Marvin Youngman.
Four minutes later, Alisher missed out on grabbing a brace as his shot from distance went inches out for a goal kick.
The 70th minute saw Cranes make other switches withdrawing Waiswa, Karisa and Okwi who gave the armband to Mugabi for. Steven Sserwanda, Martin Kizza and Rogers Mato.
With six minutes to play and Uganda desperate for a later winner, Lativian based forward Derrick Kakooza was introduced for Achai but nothing much was yielded until the final whistle which which meant direct spot kicks.
In the penalties, goalie Lukwago cleaned up his open play mistake saving two Penalties to drive Cranes to the finals.
Allan Kyambadde, Halid Lwaliwa, Derrick Kakooza, Rogers Mato all converted in their kicks respectively while Allan Okello had his effort saved before Bayo came through to seal it.
Milutin Sredojevic believes it was a good test for his side prior to the upcoming Ivory Coast 2023 AFCON Qualifiers.
“It wasn’t easy to play against Tajikistan given their technically gifted players, It is a very good test for us ahead of our upcoming engagements and we shall take the positives and correct the mistakes”- he said in the post match press conference.
Uganda will now play hosts Uzbekistan on Tuesday 29th March in the finals who beat Kyrgyzstan 3-1 in the other semi final game encounter played.
