Kitara is the first Region to defeat the Cranes in a tour game this year. (PHOTOS/FUFA)
Uganda Cranes Regional Tour
Kitara Region 1-0 Uganda Cranes
Boma Grounds, Hoima
Saturday, 20-07-2019
The Uganda Cranes suffered their first loss in the 2019 Regional Tour as they lost 0-1 to Kitara Region on Saturday.
Having taken care of both Kampala and Bushenyi earlier in the year, the Cranes were confident going into the game but could not make it three times lucky.
The only goal of the game came on 43 minutes with Bumate FC striker Vincent Kasoki popping up with the goods.
In a cagey first 45 minutes, the Cranes had earlier come close to breaking the dead-lock by Allan Kyambadde’s lofted effort kissed the cross bar with Kitara custodian-Jamil Kiyimba beaten.
Kyambadde (12) in action against Kitara Region on Saturday.
Much like in the build-up win against URA FC on Thursday, Abdallah Mubiru made 10 changes at halftime with only Disan Ggaliwango retaining his spot at left back.
Goalkeeper Saidi Keni, Daniel Serunkuuma, Nelson Senkatuka, David Owori, Paul Mbowa, Mustafa Mujuzi, Johnson Odong, Yusuf Ssozi, Asraf Mandela and Andrew Kigozi were all introduced.
The second half saw Abdallah Mubiru’s side dominate but found chances hard to come by.
In the closing minutes of the game, Yussuf Ssozi thought he had equalized for the Cranes but his goal bound effort was cleared off the line.
In the end, Kitara held on to win the contest and the Cranes will now have to go back to the drawing board as they prepare for their CHAN 2020 qualifier against Somalia next Saturday.
Speaking after the game, Mubiru noted that the game will help his side identify weaknesses ahead of Saturday’s match.
‘It was a good game for us. Said Mubiru.
“We dominated both halves but failed to hit the net.
“The match has helped us to identify some of the weaknesses in the team that we should work upon before playing Somalia next week.”
The Cranes are expectez to return to Kampala on Sunday before resuming residential training.
They Cranes will then travel to Djibouti later in the week, where they will take on Somalia.
Kitara starting IX
Jamil Kiyimba (GK), Richard Enjama, Rogers Lwebuga, Karim Ramathan, Maxwell Owanchgiu, Ivan Businge, Ramathan Dudu, Ronald Kyamanywa, Vicent Kasoki, Robert Baluku, Roger Miller Ahumuza.
Subs
Yasiri Arafat (GK), Joel Oscar Munihizi, Brian Atuhaire, David Obedamoth, Patrick Ongeyumu, Andrew Omego, Steven Obbona.
Uganda Cranes starting IX
Yasin Mugbi (GK), Paul Willa, Disan Galiwango, John Revita, Timothy Awany, Tadeo Lwanga, Tom Masiko, Bright Anukani, Allan Kayiwa, Patrick Kaddu, Allan Kyambadde
The Uganda Cranes team that started in the loss to Kitara.
Subs
James Alitho (GK), Saidi Keni (GK), Ashraf Mandela, Paul Mbowa, Daniel Serunkuma, Nelson Senkatuka, Johnson Odong, Yusuf Ssozi, David Owori, Mustafa Mujuzi, Andrew Kigozi
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