COSAFA Cup in Durban, South Africa
Lesotho 0(3)-0(2) Uganda
Uganda Cranes lost to Lesotho on kicks from the penalty mark after a goalless draw in the quarterfinal of the COSAFA Cup in Durban, South Africa on Saturday evening.
Despite Uganda dominating the entire game with superior possession and numeral chances at goal they still failed to make a difference on the scoreboard.
Micheal Birungi, Daniel Isiagi Opolot, Shafik Kagimu and Daniel Serunkuuma piled pressure on Lesotho but found it tough to break through. Serunkuma came in for Isiagi and had four shots on target but one of his his efforts hit the post in the 65th minute while the other shots denied by goalkeeper Ketsekile Samuel.
Juma Balinya also had a chance to score in the 72nd minute when Mutyaba picked him with a through pass before his shot was thwarted away by the goalkeeper.
Paul Mucuurezi and Allan Kayiwa were introduced in the game for Birungi and Kagimu respectively.
When the match progressed to Kicks from the penalty mark, KCCA FC young lad Mustafa Kizza missed the opner, John Revita and Paul Mucureezi also failed to convert while Mutyaba Balinya were spot on.
‘The game was competitive as we tried as much as we could to get some chances but missed them. We were also lucky not to concede. We lacked some maturity during the spot kicks. However, the future for the team is bright. We can build on our performance today and get the best from our players. We are waiting for our next opponent in the classification game and our focus is to have a win in the competition’ said Head coach Abdallah Mubiru
Uganda Cranes will play the loser between South Africa and Botswana in the COSAFA Plate on 4th June 2019. COSAFA Plate is a classification competition for teams that lose on the quarterfinals.
However, the record still stands that Uganda has never lost to Lesotho in regular time in all the last meetings.
Uganda Cranes XI
Lukwago Charles (GK), Willa Paul, Kizza Mustapha, Isinde Isaac, Revita John, Mutyaba Muzamiru, Kasozi Nicholas, Birungi Michael, Kagimu Shafik, Balinya Juma, Isiagi Daniel
SUBS:
Alitho James (GK), Mbowa Paul, Dan Serunkuma, Paul Mucureezi, Bright Anukani, Nelson Senkatuka, Kayiwa Allan, Musana Hassan, Mujjuzi Mustapha
MAIN PHOTO: Sepiriti Malefane of Lesotho challenged by Kagimu Shafiq Kuchi of Uganda during the 2019 Cosafa Cup in South Africa