Cranes can wrap it up in Maseru

Kampala. Cranes coach Sebastien Desabre’s hope and target is to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations by the end of Tuesday this week.
“We want to qualify early so we can give young players a chance,” he told Daily Monitor, “We want to improve confidence of younger players.”
That was 24 hours before the gallant Cranes put behind theirs and Desabre’s woes from the goalless draw with Tanzania to emphatically dispatch Lesotho 3-0 at Namboole on Saturday.
The Frenchman repeated the same call after the match, saying “This was good for us and we want to qualify early.”
That brace from Emmanuel Okwi, his 20th and 21st goals in 58 caps since debuting for Cranes in 2011, and Faruku Miya’s spot kick well have Desabre’s plan right on track.
So on track that the Cranes, travelling aboard a chartered flight, arrived in Maseru well in time to ‘receive’ their hosts, who touched down hours later.
Uganda’s first home win of the campaign in a game both teams provided value opens a three-point lead in Group L to seven, three ahead of Cape Verde, who also thrashed Tanzania 3-0.
All the Cranes need now is to pick another three points in Maseru to total up to 10, which would be enough for Uganda to qualify with two games to spare for as long as Tanzania do not beat Cape Verde at home.
At 10 points, Uganda would worst case scenario finish second in the group.
The top two teams in the 12 groups will qualify for the finals in Cameroon.
Saturday’s victory at Namboole was also monumental for Desabre.

This was the Frenchman’s first competitive win in two games fully in charge of Cranes.
“I’m very happy with our play, with the boys,” said Desabre, “In the first 20 minutes pressure got to the boys and Lesotho played well.
“But today the commitment was good. Immediately we focus on the next game but we know they have quality especially with no. 18 and seven. In Maseru we must be very focused.”
Those two boys, Tumelo Khutlang and Hlompho Kalake, roubled the Cranes backline of Nicholas Wadada, Godfrey Walusimbi, Denis Iguma and Hasswa Wasswa but for one tipping save from a retreating Denis Onyango and their general poor finishing.
But overall, the Cranes were the superior side after a nervy start that had Iguma and Onyango in compromising situations.

First start for Lubega
Moses Waiswa, starting alongside Miya as the creative spark in front of Khalid Aucho, with Joseph Ochaya, Okwi and Edrisa Lubega completing a 4-3-3 attack, was again immense, his surface to air distribution too sumptuous at times.
Lubega, starting for the first time, recovered from a poor first half with devilish runs in the second, one of those providing Okwi his second and the game’s third from a header.
But the main man had all along been Okwi, a complete transformation from the Okwi that appeared against Tanzania.
The Simba striker beat two Tsuth defenders, sold the third a dummy as he cut inside from the right to power in a good left drive into Mohau Kuenane’s goal, the ball remaining trapped in the net on 11 minutes.
The about 20,000 fans were then in time to watch another well weaved magic from Okwi when he beat another three visiting defenders, but the fourth - Basia Makepe - deciding to bundle him down with him.
Egyptian referee Mohamed omar, who was very lenient with his cards, pointed to the spot 10 minutes from half time and Miya, whose last goal came in Gabon Afcon last year, sent the keeper the wrong way for his 19th goal in 53 matches.
The stage had been set for Okwi to complete his brace off a Lubega assist after the hour and take Uganda Cranes to Maseru with the perfect mindset.

Group L standings

Team P W D L F A Pts
Uganda 3 2 1 0 4 0 7
Cape Verde 3 1 1 1 4 2 4
Tanzania 3 0 2 1 1 4 2
Lesotho 3 0 2 1 2 5 2

Group result

Friday result
Cape Verde 3-0 Tanzania

Saturday result
Uganda 3-0 Lesotho

Next fixtures for Uganda

November 16
Uganda vs Cape Verde

March 22, 2019
Tanzania vs Uganda

UGANDA XI

Denis Onyango (Captain)
Godfrey Walusimbi
Nicholas Wadada
Hassan Wasswa
Denis Iguma
Khalid Aucho
Moses Waiswa (Isaac Muleme 84)
Faruku Miya
Joseph Ochaya (Sadam Juma 58)
Emmanuel Okwi,
Edrisa Lubega (Patrick Kaddu 70)

Lesotho XI

Mohau Kuenane (G.K)
Mafa Moremoholo (Captain)
Basia Makepe
Tsoarelo Bereng
Neris Hlompho Kalake
Tsepo Toloane
Sera Motebang
Jane Thaba Ntso
Tumelo Khutlang
Nkau Lerotholi
Mabuti Potloane