AFCON 2019 Qualifiers: Serunkuma's goal sends Ugandans into wild celebrations as Cranes beats Cape Verde - FUFA: Federation of Uganda Football Associations

Posted on June 11, 2017 - 11:26 pm by Ahmed Marsha

AFCON 2019 Qualifiers (Group L)

FT: Cape Verde 0-1 Uganda

Goal: Geofrey Serunkuma (on 83 minutes)

KCCA FC striker Geoffrey Serunkuma barely spent time on the pitch after coming on for Emma Okwi before announcing his arrival with an important goal that Cranes coach Milutin Sredojevic will look up to during the campaign of the Total Africa Cup of Nations 2019.

Uganda Cranes Starting XI L-R (Back row) Emma Okwi, Khalid Aucho, Derrick Nsibambi, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda, Murushid Juuko, Bernard Muwanga, Denis Onyango Front row (L-R) Nicolas Wadada, Faruku Miya, Isaac Muleme, Godfrey Walusimbi

Micho substituted Okwi after he picked up a yellow card but the stylish striker had done his job for the period he spent on the pitch after keeping the Cape Verde defence under pressure.

Micho took off Isaac Muleme for a striker Milton Karisa and Cranes had four strikers on the pitch Okwi, Miya Faruku, Derrick Nsibambi just at the start of the second half.

Serunkuma netted late in the game for Uganda Cranes to win 1-0 in Group L.

Denis Onyango started a new chapter as the full time captain of the Uganda Cranes with fabulous saves in the match.

Hassan Wasswa and Khalid Aucho were in charge of the midfield while Murushid Juuko and Bernard Muwanga manned the defense with Godfrey Walusimbi and Wadada playing on the left and right ful backs respectively.

‘It was a good result. We were not disrupted by events on Saturday. We remained focused. We would have maintained our away record had it not been the penalty we conceded against Burkina Faso in 2016. This is a good wonderful result for my boys and the people of Uganda’ said Uganda Cranes coach Micho.

FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo (facing camera with cap) congratulates goalkeper Dennis Onyango during the celebrations after the final whistle

FUFA Communication Manager Ahmed Hussein confirmed that the team will return home on Tuesday.

‘Uganda Cranes left Cape Verde last night 11 pm (time in Praia)- (3 a.m Monday in Uganda) but will arrive at Entebbe International Airport on Tuesday at 3 am. Let’s turn up in big numbers to welcome back our heroes’ said Hussein,

Striker Derrick Nsibambi is sandwiched during play

Uganda Cranes forward player Faruku Miya attempts to dribble past two Cape Verde players players

Team Line ups:

Cape Verde XI: Vozinha (G.K), Tiago Almeida, Carlitos, Vally, Gege, Marcos Soares (59’ Ryan Mendes), Jamiro (76’ Helder), Garry Rodrigues, Ponck, Ze Luis, Julio Tavares (59’ Heldon)

Subs Not Used: Babanco, Kevin Oliveira

Head coach: Lúcio Antunes

Uganda Cranes XI: Denis Onyango (GK) (C), Nicholas Wadada, Godfrey Walusimbi, Bernard Muwanga, Murushid Jjuuko, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda, Khalid Aucho, Faruku Miya, Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (78′ Geofrey Sserunkuma), Derrick Nsibambi (94′ Denis Timothy Awany) and Isaac Muleme (46′ Milton Karisa)

Subs Not Used: Benjamin Ochan (GK), Isma Watenga (GK), Denis Okot, Robert Kaketo, Muhammad Shaban

Head coach: Milutin Sredejovic

PHOTO CREDITS: FUFA Communications Department.