FIFA World Cup: Bad Evening For Rwanda As Uganda Cranes Win Amavubi Home & Away

By Spy Uganda

Kampala: The Uganda Cranes extended their dominance over Rwanda in yet another narrow 1-0 victory to boost their World Cup qualification hopes in the bright light at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Sunday, October 10.

As was the case in Kigali on Thursday, Fahad Bayo was the saviour with a slick header to ensure that the Cranes moved within two points to Mali who finds themselves on ten points in the aftermath of their 1-0 victory against Kenya.

The opening half was much more entertaining compared to the scenes in the reverse fixture as both sides, particularly Uganda, showcased brilliant offensive displays.

The home team could have taken the lead as early as 13 minutes, but Taddeo Lwanga was unable to make contact with Isaac Muleme’s beautiful freekick.

Moses Waiswa could have broken the deadlock after 22 minutes but failed to get the cleanest of shots, dragging the ball wide after being set through by Steven Mukwala’s headed pass.

After 22 minutes, Bayo was never going to miss from about three yards, heading home a poorly cleared Muleme corner from the right.

Waiswa could have doubled the lead but his shot from distance was only inches over the bar thus missing but only by a whisker with 32 minutes on the clock.

The Amavubi Stars appeared to be pumped up for the second stanza but Tuyisenge missed to score the equalizer as his header from Rafael York’s freekick went inches wide.

Three minutes to the hour mark, Mukwala’s poor effort hit the side-netting after being put through by Waiswa’s brilliant pass.

At 74 minutes, substitute Yunus Sentamu’s well-struck freekick only missed the target by a whisker thereby implying that the Cranes missed the opportunity to extend their lead.

Even though Rwanda dominated the second half, they did not do enough to create clear cut goal scoring opportunities as the Cranes saw out the entire 90.

Uganda will wait again in November of this very year to mount more pressure on Mali when they host Kenya before visiting the former in Morocco.

Meanwhile, Rwanda’s chances of qualification to the next round are officially over as they can’t make up ground on either Mali or Uganda. They will host Mali in November before playing away in Kenya to see out the remainder of the fixtures.

How They Lined Up

Uganda Cranes: Charles Lukwago(GK), Enock Walusimbi, Denis Iguma(c), Aziz Kayondo, Isaac Muleme, Timothy Awany, Taddeo Lwanga, Moses Waiswa, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Steven Mukwala, Fahad Bayo

Substitutions: Ismail Watenga (GK), Alionzi Nathian(GK), Innocent Wafula, Mustapha Kizza, Godfrey Wasswa, Livingstone Mulondo, Najib Fesali, Yunus Sentamu, Ibrahim Orit, Julius Poloto, Shafik Kagimu, Cromwell Rwothomio, Martin Kizza

Rwanda: Emery Mvuyekure (GK), Emmanuel Imanishimwe, Solomon Nirisalike, Rwatubyaye, Medi Kagere, Kevin Muhire, Rafael York, Jacques Tuyisenge, Yannick Mukunzi, Ange Mutsinzi, Djabel Manishimwe

Substitutions: Blaise Nishimwe, Muhadjir Hakizimana, Iradukunda Jean, Thierry Manzi, Eric Ndayishimiye(GK), Haruna Niyonzima, Oliver Niyonzima, Eric Rutanga.