AFCON: Resolute Uganda Cranes Fall To Mane’s Senegal

Featured Image: Senegal’s Sadio Mane clobbered by Onyango in the forbidden area. Guardian photo

Friday, July 5
*Morocco 1(1)-(4)1 Benin
*Uganda 0-1 Senegal

Uganda Cranes’ impressive run at the 2019 AFCON came to a sad end after a 1-0 loss to an experienced Senegal in a game played at Cairo International Stadium.

Sadio Mane’s first half goal was all that Senegal needed to eliminate a determined Cranes team at the round of 16 to set a quarter final battle with Benin.

Uganda, who had poor preparations that were highlighted by a sit down strike prior to this encounter, were unwavering against an African powerhouse side led by Liverpool star performer Mane and coached by former player Aliou Cisse.

Team captain Denis Masinde Onyango did his part, kept out Mane’s penalty in the second half and had many a couple of saves every time he was called in play.

The Cranes. FUFA

Senegal on the other hand, will have their goalkeeper Alfred Gomis Amigo to thank after he denied Allan Kateregga from the freekick and Emmanuel Okwi.

It shoukd be noted that Uganda becomes the third East African country to fall to Senegal after the Lions of Terranga beat Kenya and Tanzania at the group stage.

Uganda Lose To A Classy Side

It was clearly nothing but class that beat Uganda against Senegal.

The Lions of Terranga didn’t play at their best but went through, capitalising at Cranes mistake to put Mane through on goal before bundling home past a helpless Onyango.

Earlier, it was a scrappy start that saw three yellow cards given out – Onyango, Okwi and Senegal’s Badou Ndiaye were each booked inside the first 10 minutes.

Also read: Onyango – We Are Now Focussed

After going down to Mane’s clinical finish, Uganda lost Hassan Wasswa who was stretchered off and was replaced by KCCA FC’s Timothy Awany.

Uganda continued to look the second best, but Senegal remained cautious as Sebastien Desabre’s troops tried to crawl back.

Okwi missed a header at the half hour mark before having his effort from outside the box parried away as Senegal took a narrow lead I’m the locker rooms.

Desabre introduced Allan Kyambadde for an off colour Patrick Kaddu but Uganda failed to break a strong Senegalese wall commanded by Kalidou Koulibaly.

Just after the hour, Onyango came off his line bring down Mane for a penalty but the Sundowns keeper who was lucky not have been sent off, turned into a protagonist when he kept out Mane’s penalty.

Allan Kateregga replaced Khalid Aucho as Uganda went for fresh legs but the West African Giants who had Idrissa Gueye controlling proceedings in the middle of the park, kept Uganda at bay.

Also Read: Idrissa Gueye Warns Uganda Cranes

Teams Used

Uganda XI: Onyango; Mugabi, Walusimbi, Wasswa, Juuko; Lumala, Azira, Aucho; Okwi, Kaddu, Miya.

Senegal XI: Gomis; Gassama, Kouyaté, Koulibaly, Sabaly; Saivet, B Ndiaye, Gueye; Sarr, Niang, Mané.

Referee: M Ghorbal (Algeria)

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