FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2022
Group E
Uganda, Mali, Kenya, and Rwanda
Uganda Cranes will play four derby games against East African Countries on their journey to qualify for the first-ever World Cup in Qatar 2022.
During the draws in Cairo, Egypt on Tuesday night, the Harambee Stars of Kenya and Amavubi Stars of Rwanda are the two East African teams drawn with the Cranes in Group E . West African giant Mali is the other nation in the group.
None of the four teams has ever qualified for the final World Cup in history.
On the same note, Uganda Cranes head coach Johnathan McKinstry believes that Uganda Cranes in recent years has done better than the neighbors. He stated that the Cranes can put up a perfect performance for both derbies.
‘On the footballing level, obviously, Uganda has done better than Kenya and Rwanda in recent years. Derby games can throw up surprising results and are so unpredictable but we will play them with high perfection and a lot of focus. We shall be fully focused and professional to make sure we get the results we need’ said McKinstry.
Regarding the west African giants Mali, McKinstry specified them as a strong youth side that is unpredictable however Uganda Cranes will use the experience to overcome them.
‘Mali as an interesting opponent that is so unpredictable with young and talented players so we just need to make sure we use our experience to get the results we want from them.’ added McKinstry
Facts and History
Uganda Cranes has played with Mali 2 times in history. The first was in 2016 CHAN Finals in Rwanda and the 2017 AFCON in Gabon. Both matches ended in draws of 2-2 and 1-1 respectively.
Uganda Cranes forward Farouk Miya has scored twice against Mali in the last two meetings. Joseph Ochaya is the other player who has a goal against Mali.
In the same vein, Uganda Cranes has played against Kenya in qualifiers twice in history. The two games in 2012 AFCON Qualifiers ended in a goalless draw home and away.
Meanwhile, the Harambee Stars and Uganda Cranes settled for a 1-1 draw in an International Friendly 0n 8th September 2019. Emmanuel Okwi scored for Uganda before Kenneth Muguna equalized for the home side.
On the side of Rwanda, Uganda Cranes last played the Amavubi Stars during the 2017 CHAN Qualifiers. The Cranes won 3-0 at home as well Rwanda managed a 2-0 victory away in Kigali.
In AFCON Qualifiers, Uganda played Rwanda in 2013, drawing 1-1 away in Rwanda but lost the return leg 1-0 in Kampala.
It will be the first time Uganda, Mali, Kenya, and Rwanda playing each other in World Cup Qualifiers.
Group stage qualifiers will run for one year from October 2020 to October 2021 while the knockout phase will happen in November 2021.
MAIN PHOTO: Uganda Cranes Team that started against Malawi in the 2021 AFCON Qualifier Match
