The Uganda Cranes lost 1-0 to Tanzania today at the Black Rhino Academy Stadium in Karatu, Tanzania. The match was part of the CECAFA 3 Nations Tournament, a competition aimed at preparing teams ahead of the TotalEnergies CHAN 2024.
Tanzania’s winning goal came from Idd Nado in the fourteenth minute.
Team captain Allan Okello reflected on the performance saying, ‘It wasn’t an easy game. We lost today but we dominated most of the time. We dominated in the second half and even in the first half.’
He admitted the team fell short in front of goal. ‘We needed to create more chances. We needed to utilise the ones we got. But it’s a preparation game so we need to keep working hard and improve on our mistakes,’ Okello said.
Looking ahead, he remained hopeful. ‘The next game will help us understand each other better. We take the positives. Dominating a game away from home isn’t easy. Hopefully in the next game we create more and use the chances we get.’
Co-head coach Morley Byekwaso also shared his thoughts after the match. ‘The first half wasn’t good. We allowed the Tanzanian defenders to push up and that gave us problems.’
He praised the team’s response after the break. ‘In the second half we changed. We did not allow them to play and the game shifted in our favour. We created chances but didn’t take them.’
Byekwaso remains optimistic. ‘That is football. We have learned a lot and we hope to improve in the next game against Senegal. The way the boys pressed in different phases shows we are improving. If we concentrate more on finishing our chances I think we will be a better team in the tournament.’
Team in camp
Deo Mutabazi – Leader of Delegation, Paul Put – Head Coach, Morley Byekwaso – Coach, Muhumuza Fred – Coach, Mandon Louis Francois – Performance Coach, Koukouras Petros – Video Analyst, Kiggundu Stephen Billy – Goalkeeping Coach, Massa Geofrey – Team Coordinator, Nakabago Emmanuel – Doctor, Ssewanyana Ivan – Physiotherapist, Mulondo Samuel – Kit Manager, Bashir Ibrahim -Team Media Officer and Kazibwe Ashirah – FUFA Tv Production.
Pictorial
