Uganda Cranes received a second successive win in the ongoing CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup after a 2-0 defeat over Somalia at the StarTimes Stadium Lugogo on Monday evening.
KCCA FC midfielder Allan Okello was on his peak when he sliced home with a brace that sunk a had fighting Somalia side before a cheering crowd.
Okello got the lead in the 28th minute with a hard shot that left goalkeeper Said Aweys Ali beaten on the left corner of his goal post.
With a few minutes to the break Bright Anukani controlled the ball within the six-yard box and intelligently faking two defenders who gave way for him to have a scoring opportunity, however, his effort was saved by the goalkeeper off the line.
Into the second half, Uganda Cranes Coach brought on Nicolas Kasozi for Joel Madondo who was playing on the right flank.
The tactical change saw Okello switching to the right were he dribbled passed Liban Abdiaziz before curving the ball into the right corner of the Somalis goal to double the lead for Cranes in the 67th minute.
“The schedule for matches is very difficult for our players. Playing two games in three days is a little bit difficult. Our players had a number of tired legs and tired minds that affected quite a number of opportunities that come our way which on any other day we would have scored more than today. We largely dominated the game and we deserved the win. Two in two games gives us a good foundation to move on in the tournament,” said McKinstry.
During the 75th minute, Joachim Ojera was substituted for Viane Sekajugo who also has chances at goal but the goalkeeper made brilliant saves to keep Somalia only 2 goals down.
Teenager Karim Watambala was also given the opportunity to play part in the game during the 86th minute.
