By Denis Turyahebwa
Kampala: The AFCON 2021 group B encounter between Uganda Cranes and Burkina Faso at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende has ended in goal-less as per the 90 official + three added minutes.
The cranes struggled in the first half with no serious attempt on goal with the hosts Burkina Faso dominating the field.
The host made a couple of attempts through their danger man and Aston Villa midfielder Bertrand Traore but Uganda was solid in defending getting commands right from Captain Denis Onyango.
Farooq Miya chipped in a free-kick in the 30th minute following a foul on Patrick Kaddu but it was well collected by goalkeeper Herve Koffi.
The visitors’ left-back Steeve Farid Yago was registered in the referee’s book after a dangerous tackle to the Cranes winger Abdul Lumala towards halftime.
Burkina Faso goalkeeper Koffi picked up a knock in the 34th minute trying to save a corner kick and spent some minutes down getting treatment.
The Cranes corner kick was chipped in and Tadeo Lwanga fled high but lt was cleared. Deflected resulting into another corner which yielded nothing.
Miya was brought down on the edge of the box but Joseph Ochaya’s kick hit the wall in the 37th minute.
With the game still goalless at halftime, the cranes head coach Abdallah Mubiru made a double substitution bringing on Ibrahim Orit to replace Injured Lumara and Moses Waiswa replaced Mike Azira.
The substitutes added momentum to the team as the hosts started making lethal attacks but moments later, Patrick Kaddu picked a nasty injury and was brought off on a stretcher replaced by Fahad Bayo.
The golden chance for Uganda fell on substitute Orit who jumped high to head the ball but it kissed the wood in the 68 minutes following a brilliant corner kick from Miya.
Burkina Faso made three substitutes in the 70th minute. Mohamed Konate was replaced by Lassina Chamste Soudine Franck Traore, Bryan Dabo Boulaye paved way for Hassane Bande Boureima and Abdou Razack Traore was replaced by Guira Adama.
On the 78th minute, Orit’s chip fell in the path of  Wadada but the ball rolled out of play.Miya also had a chance to break the deadlock but his curled ball inside the box but goalkeeper Koffi again cleared.
A point for the visitors means they have officially Qualified for AFCON 2021 ahead of their last game at home against South Sudan in Ouagadougou.
Meanwhile, Uganda Cranes need a point away to Malawi to secure second place and qualification on Monday, 29th March 2021.
