Cranes on course for fifth Chan appearance
Cranes celebrate their 3-0 away win over Burundi on Saturday which leaves them just 90 minutes away from their fifth successive Chan finals. Courtesy photo
Kampala- It is a common occurrence for credit to go to the players when a team wins and coaches taking the stick when a team loses.
But as the Cranes made a giant step in ensuring a fifth straight Chan finals appearance with a 3-0 away win over Burundi on Saturday, it was difficult to escape coach Abdallah Mubiru’s influence on the side.
First, he selected the centre back pairing of Halid Lwalirwa and John Revita in central defence that ensured the team were comfortable playing the ball from the back.
The approach while risky at times saw Revita help initiate attacks that resulted in one clear cut opportunity late in the first half for the hitherto electric Fahad Bayo who on another day could have notched a hattrick.
But by then the Cranes were just looking for a second goal to kill off the contest after Vianney Sekajugo on his Cranes’ debut bundled home the opener after beating the offside trap.
“We thank God for the result because it is not often that a Ugandan team gets such a result away from home. We now have an advantage but the tie could have been wrapped up if we had taken most of our chances,” Mubiru, who is in imterim charge, said in his post-match remarks.
Bayo was the chief culprit, failing to connect with an Allan Okello through ball after the latter retrieved possession.
The KCCA playmaker started alongside Nicholas Kasozi, Muzamir Mutyaba, Shafik Kagimu and Sekajugo with their speed and passing patterns often getting better of their opponents.
But it was not until a second goal from Muzamir Mutyaba seven minutes from time ensured stability to end the game as a contest.
Mike, another Mutyaba on the team, who had replaced the equally skillful Shafik Kagimu, then brilliantly set up KCCA club-mate Mustafa Kizza for the third goal.
The left wing back was left with plenty of space after Mutyaba’s intelligent hold up and flick saw him craft a finish across goal and put the Cranes in the driving seat ahead of the return leg three weeks from now.
2020 Chan Qualifier first leg
Burundi 0-3 Uganda
SECOND LEG
October 18, StarTimes Stadium Lugogo
Uganda vs Burundi
