Debutant Waiswa saves Cranes

Man of moment: Waiswa celebrates after scoring the equaliser against Kenya in today's international friendly. Photo by Clive Kyazze

What you need to know:

  • The Cranes had to wait for the 87th minute to score through Moses Waiswa after Kenya had taken the lead through Michael Olunga in the first half.

MACHAKOS.

Games between Uganda and Kenya will always bring out the best in both teams, and at times individuals.

And it was the same story on Thursday as Kenya hosted the Cranes at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos where Harambee Stars’ Michael Olunga and Uganda’s debutant Moses Waiswa treated fans to two spectacular goals.

“I am glad and happy to score on my debut,” Waiswa told Daily Monitor after the game.

“But all in all I am happy for the opportunity and thankful to God that I didn’t disappoint my coach who gave me the opportunity.

There was an early scare for Uganda as Kenya went ahead after just 35 minutes after Olunga left his fellow left footed marker Habib Kavuma for dead, leaving the former Gor Mahia striker to shoot past Benjamin Ochan in Uganda’s goal.

At halftime Micho Sredojević replaced KCCA’s Kavuma with Yasser Mugerwa, shifting Timothy Awany in central defense with Murushid Juuko. Brian Majwega also came on for Shafik Batambuzze.

Uganda were gifted a glorious chance on 56 minutes when Emmanuel Okwi released Geoffrey Sserunkuma. The Azam Uganda Premier League top scorer’s pin point cross was miscalculated by Mugerwa. The Cranes were nearly punished on the counter as Olunga again took advantage of Uganda’s loose marking on the right but his option to pick out Noah Wafula was wasted.

Chrysostom Ntambi was brought on for Godfrey Walusimbi on 65 minutes, pushing Majwega into the left back position.

Uganda nearly conceded a second again after Robinson Kamura’s set piece bouncing off the crossbar with Ochan in goal beaten.
Milton Karisa was introduced for Okwi in search for an equaliser for the remaining 20 minutes.

Five minutes later Martin Kizza came on for Nicholas Wadada as Cranes resorted to a back three of Hassan Wasswa, Murushid Juuko and Timothy Awany.

There was time for Moses Waiswa to be handed a rare debut when he replaced Muzamir Mutyaba in midfield. The Cranes desperation for an equaliser grew but efforts from Majwega, Mugerwa and Karisa from a distance were way off target. But it was Waiswa who pulled off something special after he picked up Karisa’s teasing pass, his thunderous right foot shot caught Harambee Star’s custodian Patrick Matasi off guard.

“There many positives to pick out of this game, wanted to see how different players react to different game situations,” Micho said after the game. “I am impressed with some young boys who proved that they can make the cut in the near future.”
On the field, there is no doubt that Kenya enjoyed more spells of possession and were tactically more acute than the 13-time CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup winner.

International friendly
Kenya 1-1 Uganda