Kizza hands struggling Kobs slight advantage

Nervy win. Defender Kizza (left) runs with teammates to celebrate his penalty kick that won Kobs the match. PHOTO BY EDDIE CHICCO

What you need to know:

  • Soccer. Uganda will now have to avoid defeat in the return leg next week to progress to the next round where Tunisia awaits.

Kampala. Mustafa Kizza broke South Sudanese hearts with an added time penalty to give Kobs a slender 1-0 first leg lead in their 2019 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifier first round.
The visitors, whose previous two trips to Lugogo against Ugandan opposition had seen them concede 10 goals frustrated their more established opponents and seemed to have done enough for a draw.
But they ultimately paid the price for their physical approach when goalkeeper John Mayik brought down striker Stephen Mukwala after he beat him to a through ball.
Left wingback Kizza then stepped up to sweep a low effort to the custodian’s left much to the relief of the majority of the crowd at the fairly attended game at the Startimes Stadium.
“The players initially underrated the opposition such that when we stepped up in the second half the opponents had gained belief and were hard to breakdown,” Kobs head coach Wasswa Bbosa said of the team’s performance.
His team selection however also raised a few eyebrows as he opted for three centre backs in Geoffrey Wasswa and Bashir Asiku as he tried to accommodate captain Musitafa Mujuzi.
Julius Poloto and Kizza were meanwhile expected to provide width but on a day when the opposition defenders dwarfed Mukwala and current league top scorer Joel Madondo, that approach appeared doomed.
It was little surprise that Uganda’s goalscoring threat came from a Shafik Kagimu drive and shot that flashed past the post in a poor first half.
Allan Okello then saw his long range effort turned out for a corner as Kobs piled on the pressure in the second period.
They will now have to avoid defeat in the return leg next week to progress to the next round where Tunisia awaits.

U-23 afcon qualifier

First round stage
First leg
Uganda Kobs 1-0 South Sudan

Return leg

November 20
South Sudan vs Uganda Kobs