Finally Ugandans celebrated an AFCON goal after 39 years. Farouk Miya’s 70th minute strike sent Ugandans wild despite having already been knocked out of the tournament. Three minutes later Mali responded with an expertly struck free-kick which sealed the stalement.
Heavy rain downpour could not wash away the Cranes bouyant moods as they sealed off their return to the big stage in style. 30 minutes to kickoff, the pitch at Oyem was heavily waterlogged with fans taking refuge in the upper ends of the pavillion.
Alain Giresse’s side needed to win to have a chance of making the last eight, but would have been eliminated anyway because of Egypt’s victory over Ghana. Uganda Cranes not only frustrated them but sealed their elusive fate.
The waterlogged pitch did no favours to either sides as several chances were by the puddle of mud.
Uganda was denied a goal after substitute Tony Mawejje’s long shot slightly deflected off Ochaya who was in offside position in the 68th minute.
Two minutes later, Farouk Miya smashed in Uganda’s first Afcon goal since 1978 before Yves Bissouma swerved in a free-kick three minutes later to level matters.
Uganda Cranes poured their hearts out with a much younger team with Robert Odongkara between the sticks and Luwagga Kizito playing for 77 minutes before Massa came in.
Egypt’s 1-0 win over Ghana means they qualify as group winners, with Ghana – who were already assured of a quarter-final place – going through as runners-up.
Ghana play DR Congo in the last eight, while Egypt go on to play Morocco.
Well done boys!
