LIVE UPDATES: Uganda Cranes Vs. Harambee Stars of Kenya

Football fans rave up for the game as they go through rehearsals of how they will cheer their team in Mandela National Stadium.

.6:57pm: Final Score: Uganda are out. Angola are through to the 2012 Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea. Uganda 0-0 Kenya, Guinea Bissau 0-2 Angola. Williamson turns, looks to the fans, his hands on the waist. About six Ugandan players lay on the ground, other run to the dressing room crying. Over 40,000 Ugandans quiet at At Namboole, "Thank You Boys, You Went Down With A Fight. We Still Love Uganda Cranes" reads a message on the score board. What a disappointing way to start Independence Celebrations! Am being told by my colleague Abdu Wasike that people are crying..

Kenyan fans shout with placards saying, "It's a fact Uganda has not been at the Nations Cup for 34 years."

FINALLY: Cranes players wave to the fans, thank them, and disappointingly trudge off the pitch for the last time this campaign. Thank you boys. You gave it your all.

The rest of the Uganda Cranes team at the centre arc, Bobby with arms crossed. They simply cannot believe it. The Harambee Stars layers have left the pitch after thanking their fans. What a disappointing way to start Independence Celebrations! Am being told by my colleague Abdu Wasike that people are crying..

6:54pm: Into four added minutes. Then it is all over. Some fans walking out of the stands and the stadium.

6:52pm: 3 minutes left of normal time to play. Kenya now taking their time, with keeper Origi taking his time to take the goal kick. Kenyans now falling over and taking eternity to get up.

As it stands, Angola qualify and Uganda wait for 2013.

6:48pm: 8 minutes left for Uganda to salvage qualification. Uganda win free kickon the edge...the crowd roars...And for first time since he took over as Uganda Cranes coach in 2008, Bobby has taken off his jacket. Pressure.

6:45pm: With Angola leading 2-0 Uganda have no option but to score. Sserunkuma picks the ball from Umony, shoots from the box but Origi, who has been impressive, parries over. Bobby, frustrated holds his head...and crowd moans.

6:42: Bobby preparing to bring on Geoffrey Sserunkuma. Massa off for Sserunkuma

6:40 pm: Kenyan Substitution: Stephen Waruru on for Kevin Opondo who has been booked. Meanwhile Angola is leading 2-0.

6:34 pm: Uganda misses yet another opportunity! A very narrow miss. When Uganda score? Oloya receives the ball on the right, crosses, keeper fumbles...and Collins Okoth clears off the line, yet again. Meanwhile the Kenyan team has also made changes. Kenya Substitution: Baraza off, Bob Mugalia on.Uganda Substitution: 66 Minutes. Bobby Williamson brings on Mike Mutyaba for Sserumaga. Uganda must score.

6:28pm: Substitution: 64 minutes...Moses Oloya on for Kayizzi. That's a Ugandan sub. In Guinea Bissau, Angola still lead hosts 1-0 and if it stays that way, Uganda will have to wait for 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa. Kenyans are fully in the game this half...

6:22pm: 60 minutes played and anxiety is raiding in...Suddenly, Kenya are turning the tide. More pressure gives Kenya their first corner. Uganda have survived yet another raid...Oliech picks the ball...eludes Mwesigwa, then Sekagya...races with Onyango to beat...Onyango comes out and Oliech inexplicable hits over the bar...Kenya should have scored...

The Kenyan midfield of Mariga and Wanyama is comfortable in possession while Uganda are lacking the killer punch upfront

Oliech is giving Mwesigwa some hell

6:17pm: Uganda has just survived a narrow scare...Oliech picks the ball...eludes Mwesigwa, then Sekagya...races with Onyango to beat...Onyango comes out and Oliech inexplicably hits over the bar...Kenya should have score...

Confusion in the Kenyan box from Sserumaga's free kick but they clear out of danger...

Uganda camped in the Kenyan half...

6:14pm: A melee on the Kenyan box from Kayizzi's free kick and Sserumaga, with just three yards from goal hits the post. It was a tight angle though.

6:13pm: Umony is felled on the edge of the box...This is promising...Masaba and Kayizzi standing on it..

Kenyans say their prayers and are ready to kick off second half
As the players trudge back onto the pitch for the second half, the mood among Ugandan journalists and the crowd seemed down beat at half time. But the crowd has resumed the "we go slogan."

Second half getting underway at Namboole..

6:00pm: All two matches Uganda have gone into half time goalless have either ended in draw or defeat for the Cranes. 0-0 in Nairobi and 2-0 defeat in Angola.

And now this...

Ugandans will hope for better luck this time round.

But also, Uganda have not failed to score at home and have won all their two games at home, beating Angola 3-0 and Guinea Bissau 2-0.

Oliech should be watched or Uganda will pay. He is picking many lose balls in the midfiled. Into added two minutes.

It's half time here at Namboole. Uganda 0-0 Kenya. In Bissau, Angola lead 1-0 at half time.

Uganda MUST win to qualify.

5:49pm: First half ends after two extra minutes added on the half. Briefly, after a spirited start from the Ugandans, they have allowed the Kenyans back into the game. Mawejje not up to his game... loses possession once again...Kenya getting back into the game. The more it stays goalless, the more belief they seem to be getting they can upset the Ugandans...Mudde easily dispossessed in the middle but Mwesigwa halts Oliech's run. Dangerous.

5:44pm: As it stands....Angola qualify as they will be on 12 points and Uganda on 11. Goalless in Kampala, 1-0 for Angola in Bissau. Five minutes to half time. Kenya playing on the counter...

5:40pm: Massa shot saved brilliantly by Origi after referee waved on Umony's call for a penalty.

Mariga, Oliech and Wanyama break free for Kenya but Oliech's poor judgment let Cranes off the hook...

Uganda have just survived...Oliech with only Sekagya to beat tumbles and Onyango leaves it to roll out for goal kick

5:36pm: Not very good new coming in from Guinea Bissau for Uganda. Angola lead 1-0 after 32 minutes. Back on the pitch, Oliech breaks free on goal but for a timely interception from Mwesigwa
Daily Monitor Reporter Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo reports that there is chaos at the gates...updates will follow as more information becomes available.

5:30pm: Another raid involving Umony and Masaba ...Kenya on the back foot trying to contain the duo...

Umony is keeping the Ugandan crowd on their feet...He waltzes past the Kenyan backline again but a deflection sends his shot out for corner....24 minutes still goalless...the crowd is keeping up the pressure on the team to bring to fruit all their efforts on the Harambee Stars goal.

5:22pm: Umony evades two defenders and his drive from 18 yards goes inches over the bar....The Portland Timbers striker is in the mood to score. Will he?

5:20pm: Sserumaga is swerving in sweet crosses from the left but Massa is still finding trouble converting...thanks to Kenyan central defender James Situma...

Meanwhile, A Kenyan has been stretched off injured...

18 minutes played. Uganda 0-0 Kenya.

Umony goes past three Kenyan defenders but his square goes behind Sserumaga. A Kenyan defender clears Umony's header off the line...Kenya survive yet again...

5:17pm: Umony, Kayizzi and Masaba combining well on the right flank and Sserumaga is stamping authority on the left.

As promised, Mawejje and Mariga are having a good game so far...and Mawejje has just won a tackle off him...But Mawejje and Mudde will have to be at their best to keep the Real Sociedad man quiet

5:15pm: After the first startled reaction at Ugandan pressure, the Harambee Stars are getting their act together. Mariga and Oliech doing the Kenya planning...but Mwesigwa and Masaba combine well to thwrart them. The other end, Umony forces his way into the Kenyan box but takes a weak shot.

5:10pm: Two corners in one minute but Kenyan keeper Origi saves. The Ugandans are pressing forward, perhaps in an attempt for an early comforting goal. Umony is justifying his inclusion, and the fans are roaring support for the team. Umony has started in impressive fashion...he is showing the hunger and has just won Uganda a free kick at the edge of the area. A Mike Sserumaga fierce drive is parried by Oirigi...Kenya survive...

5:08pm: Beginning of a tense, lively match. Tonny Mawejje hacked by a Kenyan defender in the first minute...Free kick Uganda...on the right of the box.. It takes a deflection for Uganda's first corner...

5:06pm: For the superstitious, a drizzle that blessed the Cranes in the 3-0 victory over Angola has just done the same here...still is...

Action is underway...

5:03pm: The teams are now on the pitch, and national anthems are being played. There is an incredible atmosphere in the stadium. Reminder. Uganda are through to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea next year if they beat Kenya. A draw would call for Angola to draw or lose in Guinea Bissau to qualify.

4:46pm: The last time Kenya beat Uganda in Kampala in a competitive fixture was in 1991. The Harambee Stars took the day, eliminating the Cranes 3-1 in the Cecafa Cup semi-finals. Kick off in about 14 minutes from now.

Group J standings

 

Team        P         W           D             L             GF          GA         Pts

Uganda     5          3              1              1              6              2           10

Angola     5           3              0             2              5              5            9

Kenya      5           2             1              2              4              4             7

G.Bissau  5           1              0              4              2              6             3

 


Uganda and Kenya statistics for 2012 Africa Cup Of Nations Qualifiers

Uganda                     Matches Win      Draw   Lose

Overall Results             5         3         1         1

Home Form                  2         2         0         0

Away Form                   3        1         1         1

 

Kenya                    Matches     Win      Draw   Lose

Overall Results             5         2         1         2

Home Form                   3        2         1         0

Away Form                   2        0         0         2

4:38pm: Jacob Oulanya, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, has just been booed on announcing his arrival. Meanwhile, Kenya's Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka is also in the stadium.

4:30pm: Now the rest of the Cranes team in their black strip has started trotting out...the crowd goes wild...So wild that the Ugandan applause of the their team drowns out the the Kenyans' energetic support of the Harambee Stars. It's warm-up time. Kick off in 45 minutes.

ICT minister Ruhakana Rugunda just in. Betty Nambooze clad in a Uganda Cranes white jacket is also present to cheer the Uganda Cranes.

4:20pm: Only gold ticket holders and invited guests sections still have some space. The rest of the stadium is FULL. And yes, looking through our window... thousands of people are outside the stadium. Kenya Prime Minister Raila Odinga has just made his way into the stadium to join Uganda Vice President Edward Ssekandi who arrived earlier.

Goalkeepers Dennis Onyango and Abel Dhaira first Cranes players to come out of the dressing room for warm-up.

And then ....the rest of the team in their black strip...the crowd goes wild...

4:08pm: Kenya starting XI: Arnold Otieno Origi (1), Pascal Ochieng (5), James Situma (4), Dennis Odhiambo Omino (3), Osborne Monday (8),, McDonald Mariga (17), Kevin Ochieng (6), Dennis Oliech (10) Victor Wanyama (12), Collins Okoth (13), Michael Baraza, (11).

Subs: Jacktone Odhiambo (18), Brian Onyango (4), Stephen Waruru (7), Bob Mugalia (9), Crispin Olando (16), Eric Andayi (15), Jamal Muhamed (2)

3:50pm: We now have a definitive list of the Cranes team that will go out to represent Uganda. Uganda Starting XI: Dennis Onyango, Simeon Masaba, Nestroy Kizito, Andy Mwesigwa, Ibrahim Sekagya, Musa Mudde, Tony Mawejje, Vincent Kayizzi, Mike Sserumaga, Brian Umony and Geoffrey Massa

Substitutes: Abel Dhaira, Hassan Wasswa, Godfrey Walusimbi, Mike Mutyaba, Robert Ssentongo, Moses Oloya and Geoffrey Sserunkuma.

3:38pm: Meanwhile, Kenyan fans equally energetic now...trying to match their Ugandan counterparts
I got a feeling by Black Eyed Peas one of the songs blaring to entertain waiting fans... both Kenyans and Uganda dance to it...They probably got a feeling...

3:24pm: Kenya's Harambee Stars have just returned to their dressing room.... Meanwhile, three white lads, chests bare with Ugandan flags painted on them, are doing rounds around the stadium turf...the crowd is loving it.

3:19pm: Williamson walks back into the dressing room yet again to another deafening applause from Ugandan fans

Seconds later...the Kenyan team step onto the turf and head the direction of their fans...who applaud them....

Uganda Cranes coach Bobby Williamson in black shorts and yellow shirt has just stepped onto the pitch to the deafening applause from the fans....

3:09pm: Vice President Edward Ssekandi will be guest of honour. Near the media tribunal, talismanic UgandaCranes super fan Uncle Money has just sent the crowd wild with his antics. He is in company of about 15 cheerleaders. Meanwhile, The match officials clad in their green and black tracksuits have finished inspecting the pitch and are now taking pictures of themselves.

2:50pm: Stadium almost full. But what is worrying is from our media tribunal window...throngs of fans coming to the stadium can be seen from as far as Sports View, Kireka...

2:40pm: Kenyan fans now well over 1000 and they are slowly covering their allocated partition in the stadium...

2:35pm: Musicians entertaining the crowd... Popular musician Ronald Mayinja on stage performing...

2:30pm: Mauritian referees will be in charge of the this Nations Cup qualifier.

Seechun Rajindrapasad will be the centre referee, assisted by Bootun Balkrishba as first assistant and Vivan Vally as the second assistant. Chutoree Vinaye will be the fourth official while Eritrean Gebreyesus Tesfaye will be the match commissioner.

2:20pm: Uganda top Group J with 10 points, Angola are second on nine. Kenya come in third with seven and Guinea Bissau last on three.

Uganda will qualify with a win of any kind. Kenya can only qualify with a win over Uganda and a loss for Angola in Guinea Bissau.

Uganda can also qualify with a draw if Angola fail to win in Guinea Bissau.

That's for the match. Meanwhile, the Kenyan flag still missing on the masts.

Getting reports both Ugandan and Kenyan team buses are on their way to Namboole right now from their respective hotels.

2:17pm: We are getting reports that tickets are now being sold at Shs120,000 but more fans are fighting to get their hands on them and get in.

2:15pm: Although Police have put up two human shields...Ugandan fans have still managed to use part of the Kenyan section. So right now, two police human shields but, together with some fans, they occupy part of the Kenyan section...

Two hour and 30 minutes to kick off, Ugandans have occupied about 90% of their seat and stands allocation. Three quarters of the Kenyan fans section are still empty and Ugandans fighting to occupy them are not liking it that they are empty

2:10pm: update from a Voice of Tooro Radio journalist...Patrick Bamanyisa...
Taxis with vuvuzelas' blaring are already criss-crossing Fort-Portal streets in the Rwenzori region Western Uganda!!! That's how far the Football fever has spread my fellow countrymen and women!!!! But I am told whichever country wins, will be representing East African Community at the Orange CAF soccer extravaganza 2012!!!!

2:05pm: Ugandan fans now chasing the Kenyans'...Kenyans retreat... Police now intervene full swing and send Ugandan back to their stands...the atmosphere is exactly that of a derby.... deafening noise ... I can comfortable say...35,000 people inside here...

2:00pm: Ugandan fans enjoying the taunting game with the Police... they are now trading words at the no fly zone... Police have formed a defensive guard.. No real fights yet...just taunts typical of a derby...

Kenyan fans now seated, kind of relieved...and are now just watching the taunts and provocation by Ugandan fans on police

1:57pm: Ugandan fans now chasing the Kenyans...Kenyans retreat... Police now intervene full swing and send Ugandan back to their stands...the atmosphere is exactly that of a derby.... deafening noise ... I can comfortably say...35,000 people inside here...

Ugandan fans enjoying the taunting game with the Police... they are now treading words at the no fly zone... Police have formed a defensive guard..

1:50pm: A ring of policemen now watching over the section where Ugandan fans had crossed over to the Kenyans. Most of the Ugandan fans have been forced back to their partition. A few remain. Kenyans now taunting their counterparts, glad they are winning this round.

The Ugandan fans are now back. The two sets of fans are now on the same partition and taunting each other. Police are watching. Helpless. Delicate situation.