Uganda Cranes Regional Tour
Saturday, 16th April 2022
Kampala Region Select 1-3 Uganda Cranes
Proudly sponsored by Airtel-Uganda and Nile Special
Uganda Cranes put up a fantastic display to brush aside Kampala Select Team in the Region Tour game played on Saturday at St. Mbaga Major Seminary, Ggaba.
Right from onset, the national team was dominant and eventually went ahead to claim a 3-1 win on a chilly evening.
Hakim Kiwanuka bagged a brace while Martin Kizza added the other goal to guide the National Team to victory.
The consolation goal for Kampala Region Select Team came in the second half from diminutive forward Denis Olara.
Uganda Cranes started the better side, dominating proceedings and making several inroads at goal.
The first attempt at goal came from Joseph Marvin Youngman in the 6th minute when he tried to shoot from far but goalkeeper Ronald Kabirinage was equal to the effort.
Kizza and Miya too came close to opening the scores but failed to connect home in turns.
The deadlock was eventually broken in the 20th minute when Kiwanuka headed home from Farouk Miya’s well delivered corner kick.
Seven minutes later, Kizza doubled Cranes’ advantage, when his strike at the edge of the box slipped through the goalkeeper’s hands to find the back of the net.
Solomon Walusimbi nearly pulled one back for the hosts but he was unlucky with attempt parried away by goalkeeper Nafian Alionzi only to hit the goal post before going out.
In the 38th minute, the duo of Kiwanuka and Miya once again combined to deliver the third goal for Uganda Cranes.
Miya this time delivered from the free kick finding Kiwanuka in the area who headed home at the near post to give Uganda Cranes a comfortable 3-0 lead heading into the break.
At the start of the second half, Kampala Region Select Team coach Michael Lukyamuzi made three changes calling off Lam Dew, Jamir Muhusin and John Ben Nakibinge for Bruno Mukwaya, Mike Mbuga and Albert Kitenge.
There was realistic improvement for the home side and indeed contained Uganda Cranes denying them the chance to add any goal in the second half.
Cranes coach Milutin Sredojevic alias Micho also made changes bringing on Sharik Ssaka, Ezra Kaye Kizito, Emmanuel Mukisa and Michael Siwu for Miya, Kiwanuka, Kizza and Aliro.
With ten minutes to the end, Kampala Region got its consolation through Olara who ran behind Musa Ramathan to slot past on rushing goalkeeper Alionzi.
Micho indicated the two games played including the one against Buganda Masaza Select Team on Friday helped him to create a bigger pool for the Uganda Cranes upcoming engagements.
“We mainly considered players from the FUFA Big League to widen the pool that will help us in getting the team for CHAN Qualifiers. The two games played have been a big test to these players and several positives have been picked.” He said.
Uganda Cranes Starting XI
Nafian Alionzi, Brian Mato, Derrick Ndahiro, Joseph Bright Vuni, Musa Ramathan, Joseph Marvin Youngman, Martin Kizza , James Begisa, Hakim Kiwanuka, Farouk Miya, Moses Aliro
Substitutes
James Wokorach, Ivan Serubiri, Michael Siwu, Ezra Kaye Kizito, Emmanuel Mukisa, Francis Odongo, Sabir Andama, Clinton Kamugisha, Michael Siwu, Steven Namisi, Sharif Ssaka
Kampala Region Select Starting XI
Ronald Kabirinage, Edward Masembe, Morris Makanga, Lam Dew, Garvin Mubutu, Jamir Muhusin, Juma Kasozi, Solomon Wafula, Tevin Kyeyune, Denis Olara, John Ben Nakibinge
Substitutes
Michael Okiria, Isham Kibirige, Ivan Kamoga, Alvin Birungi, Alex Mawanda, Bruno Mukwaya, Julius Magu, Farouk Ssekayi, Hamza Lutaaya, Shem Juuko, Mike Mbuga, Albert Kitenge, Junior Luben Lubwama, Dan Kazibwe, Issac Ofoywroth
