Uganda Cranes ended their journey in the 3-nations tournament with a 2-1 win against Senegal today at Black Rhino Academy Stadium in Karatu, Tanzania.
This was the last match in the tournament and it served as preparation for the TotalEnergies CHAN 2024. The first half ended in a goalless draw before Arnold Odong put the Uganda Cranes in the lead in the 64th minute. Jude Semugabi was fouled in the 18-yard box in the second half and Patrick Jonah Kakande converted the penalty in the 67th minute to give Uganda Cranes a 2-1 lead.
S.M.Koite pulled one back for Senegal in the 88th minute, but it wasn’t enough to take the win away from Uganda Cranes.
Uganda Cranes Coach Morley Byekwaso reacted to the team’s performance, highlighting the positives from the game.
‘We played well and concluded the tournament with a win, although we lost to Tanzania in the opening game.
We have learned a lot of lessons from the tournament but our major aim was to see how our players in different positions can connect.’
‘We want to go back home and assess areas that need improvement. By the end, we will be ready to face CHAN and we have to ensure there is no room for mistakes.’
Goal scorer Anorld Odong commented, ‘We came ready and prepared. We wanted to identify areas for improvement, and we worked on them and we still do. The competition is stiff and everyone wants to earn the coaches’ trust to make it to the starting lineup.’
Odong reflected on the overall tournament, saying, ‘It has provided us with a sufficient test. Although we fell to Tanzania, the team performed well overall. We worked on the mistakes we made in the first game.’
‘As a player, it’s an honour to play for the Uganda Cranes for the first time, and I’m happy I scored on my debut. I’m looking forward to being consistent,’ he added.
Odong believes there is a lot they need to learn and promised Ugandans that they would make the most of the TotalEnergies 2024 tournament.
The team is preparing to return home as they continue their preparations for their first game against Algeria on 4th August 2025.
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
