Uganda and Mali in a four goal thriller

Uganda Cranes squandered the lead on twice as they played to a 2-2 draw with West African side, Mali in the second group D match of the CHAN 2016 championship at the Umuganda stadium in Rubavu on Tuesday evening.

In a game played under floodlights, the Cranes took the lead on 13 minutes through Erisa Ssekisambu’s well brushed header after a perfectly curled effort from team skipper Faruku Miya.

The West Africans made quick amends when Sekou Koita powerfully drilled home on the turn for the equalizer in the 10 minutes later.

Miya calmly converted from the spot when Erisa Ssekisambu was brought down in the area on the 40th minute mark. Earlier, forward Ceaser Okhuti had an early run down the left, but was ruled to have fouled Karim Dante.

Lassana Samake delivery five minutes into the game was well cleared out of danger by Bernard Muwanga before Mali goalie Djigui Diarra parried a similar ball out from Ssekisambu.

The East African giants went to the half time break with a slim 2-1 lead.

At the onset of the second half, Uganda Cranes technical team sacrificed an injured skipper Faruku Miya (who had also picked a yellow card for diving as the first half climaxed) for midfielder, Muzamiru Mutyaba.

The defining moment for the team then arrived 5 minutes into the half when goal keeper, Ismail Bin Watenga suffered a sprained leg before being stretchered out for Mathias Kigonya.

Moments later, Hamidou Sinayoko made amends with an easy tap off second half replacement Mamadou Coulibaly’s deflected cross inside the area.

Micho then called for the final change of the game when Martin Kizza replaced Ceasar Okhuti.

Kigonya turned the hero when he saved from Sinayoko on a one against one attempt.

There were no other chances as either sides played cautiously till the last whistle of Algerian FIFA referee, Mehdi Abid Charef.

Sekou Koita was voted the Orange man of the match.

Zambia, who beat Zimbabwe 1-0 in the opener lead group B with 3 points. Uganda’s next game shall be on Saturday at the same venue against Zambia.