Emmanuel Okwi netted twice in the first leg of the game

Uganda Cranes overcame the Southern Africa country 3-0 and 2-0 at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole and at Setsoto stadium in Maseru respectively to collect 10 points after 4 games in the campaign, leaving Uganda in need of just a point to qualify to the 2019 finals that will be held in Cameroon.

Emmanuel Okwi netted twice and Faruku Miya (penalty) were on target in the Namboole game as Miya carried the day with a brace in the return leg played on artificial surface in Maseru.

The Uganda Cranes contingent to Maseru traveled by a chartered flight offered by President Yoweri Kaguta Mueveni which helped a lot the national team to travel with ease within three days of the return leg after the Namboole success.

Uganda Cranes XI vs Lesotho in Maseru

Here is the First Lady’s detailed message:

I must begin by thanking God for his goodness and for empowering our boys and leading them as we now see. Then, of course, I congratulate them for emerging victorious during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier return match against Lesotho 2-0 on Tuesday, 16th October 2018 in Lesotho, after the previous win of 3-0 at Mandela National Stadium on Saturday 13th October 2018. Our national team’s performance has been very impressive putting us on the verge of qualifying for the 2019 AFCON Championships due in Cameroon.

On behalf of Government, my Ministry and all the people of Uganda, I salute the Uganda Cranes, Coach Sebastien Desabre and his Technical Team, FUFA, National Council of Sports, and the fans for the observable progress we have registered in performance and development of Ugandan football, and indeed Ugandan sports in general.

As we celebrate our recent performance, I call upon the players, technical officials, fans and supporters to remain humble, focused to the very end. For I believe that this is merely the beginning, the best is yet to come.

In a very special way, I thank the President of Uganda, Cabinet in its entirety and Parliament for supporting sports in general, but the president especially for providing quick means of transport to Lesotho and some support for our pocket expenses to the team. We, at the Ministry, remain committed to provide all the prayer back up, logistical and financial support to Ugandan sports teams within available resources.

May I wish the Uganda Cranes team, continued blessings and a successful AFCON 2019 qualification campaign, therefore, as we look forward to an even brighter future for Ugandan sports.

God Bless us all!

Janet K. Museveni

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Substitute Vincent Aboubakar got the better of defender Ali Gabr and put the ball in the back of the net.

The Indomitable Lions had earlier equalised  in the 59th minute through Nicolas Nkoulou who rose highest to power in a strong header past El Hadary in the Egypt goal.

The equaliser cancelled out Mohamed Elneny’s opener on 22 minutes with a well taken near-post strike.

The win means Cameroon are now the second most successful nation in the competition’s history with five trophies behind Egypt who have won it a record seven times.

The Indomitable Lions will look to defend the trophy in two years time when they host the African Cup of Nations.

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Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui scored in the 72nd minute and Christian Bassogog netted in an injury-time counter-attack to seal the victory for the Indomitable Lions.

Ghana were close to scoring through Wakaso Mubarak and Christian Atsu but they failed to beat Cameroon goal keeper Fabrice Ondoa.

The Indomitable Lions had a couple of chances earlier with Adolphe Teikeu’s header being cleared off the line by Harrison Afful after Bassogog had won a corner.

Cameroon continued to press through Robert Ndip Tambe and Benjamin Moukandjo but were denied by Ghana’s goalkeeper Brimah Razak.

The four times African champions defended extremely well nullifying the threat of Andre Ayew and Jordan Ayew-and, later on, substitute Asamoah Gyan till they sealed their win.

Meanwhile Ghana will take on Burkina Faso in the third place play off on 4th February, 2017.

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Veteran goalkeeper Essam El Hadary was the hero for Egypt after saving Bertrand Traore’s spot-kick to secure victory.

Mohamed Salah put Egypt in the lead in the 66th minute when he curled a superb shot into the top left corner.

Burkina Faso equalized in the 73rd minute when Aristide Bance managed to chest down Charles Kabore’s cross and volleyed in.

The Burkinabes had a quick start in the game, putting Egypt under immense pressure in the first half but their efforts did not yield anything.

The Pharaohs stepped up their efforts forcing the Burkinabe to halt their attacks.

The game was played at a good tempo with Burkina Faso putting the Egyptian defence under pressure through Bertrand Traore, Prejuce Nakoulma, Aristide Bance and Banou Diawara.

However,El Hadary who is the oldest Nations Cup player in history at 44 years proved hard to beat throughout normal time.

Egypt played more defensively throughout the 90 minutes and were able to hold on in extra-time into penalties where they managed to win.

The Pharoah’s victory means they equal Ghana’s record of appearing in nine finals and will extend their own record as the most successful Nations Cup side if they win an eighth title.

Egypt will take on the winner between Cameroon and Ghana who play on 2nd  February,2017.

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The mirror states that the 19-year-old is a replacement for the injured Saphir Taider who had to withdraw from the Algerian squad.

Bennacer only made his senior debut for Algeria in September, 2017 after switching international allegiance in July.

The former France under-18 international joined Arsenal from Ligue 2 side Arles-Avignon in August 2015 after turning down a move to Manchester City.

Bennacer has made only one senior appearance for Arsenal, appearing in a loss to Sheffield Wednesday in the cup in the 2015/16 season but he is a regular for their U23 team.

Algeria begin their tournament against Zimbabwe on Sunday, 17th, January and possess Premier League stars Riyad Mahrez,Islam Slimani and Adlene Guedioura in their squad.

They also take on Tunisia and Senegal in Group B and are among the favourites for the tournament

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The Ugandan government has given US $540716 to help the Cranes at the tournament which kicks off in Gabon on 14 January though it is considerably less than the Federation of Uganda Football Association had requested according to BBC.

Uganda’s State Minister for Sport, Charles Bakkabulindi, admitted the sum is much less than the US $2 million FUFA had wanted, but said the government also had to factor in other commitments.

“We are happy that although the money has taken a while to come out, it has finally come and it will handle several aspects including allowances for the team in Gabon,” the Minister told BBC Sport.

He added that the government is also working hard to find money to fund part of the 2017 World Cross Country Championship which will take place in Kampala in March as per the report.

Bakkabulindi reasoned that since the Confederation of African Football (Caf) has sent over US$200,000 for each of the 16 teams to help them participate at the Nations Cup, the Uganda Cranes already have some financial support.

In December, 2017, the Ugandan FA (FUFA) were embroiled into financial crisis with the FA’s head of Finance, Decolas Kiiza, saying they needed quick government intervention.

FUFA had to borrow funds to send the team to their training camp in Tunisia and now in the United Arab Emirates where they are carrying out preparations ahead of  the Afcon.

Uganda who made history by ending a 38-year wait to qualify for Afcon are in Group D alongside Egypt, Ghana and Mali. They will play their first match on the 17th against Ghana before going head to head with Egypt on 21st, January 2017.

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Cranes beat stiff competition from DR Congo and Senegal to the team of the year award after making history by ending a 38-year wait to qualify for Afcon.

Uganda Cranes team that qualified for the African Nations Cup finals in Gabon.

Meanwhile, Onyango got the better of Mamelodi Sundowns teammate Khama Billiat and TP Mazembe’s Reinford Kalaba, collecting 252 votes in the process. Billiat finished second behind Onyango with 228 votes, while Kalaba came in third with 206 votes according to Confederation of African Football (CAF)

The Uganda international helped the Brazilians lift their maiden Caf Champions League crown at the expense of Zamalek and was also influential in Uganda’s qualification to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

The former Bidvest Wits shot-stopper becomes the first South African-based player to win the continental award.

On the Other hand, Riyad Mahrez become the first Algerian and maiden North African to win the best African player of the year accolade since its inception by the Africa De Football (CAF) in 1992.

The play-maker played an instrumental role in the historic Premier League triumph by English Club, Leicester City in the 2015/2016 season.

The winners were decided by the votes from the head Coaches or Technical Directors of the National Associations affiliated to CAF, members of the CAF Media Committee, members of the CAF Technical and Development Committee and a 20-member panel of experts.

Full list of Winners:

African Player of the Year – Riyad Mahrez (Algeria & Leicester City)

African Player of the Year – Based in Africa: Denis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)

Women’s Player of the Year: Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria & Arsenal Ladies)

Most Promising Talent: Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria & Manchester City)

Youth Player of the Year:  Alex Iwobi (Nigeria and Arsenal)

Coach of the Year: Pitso Mosimane (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Club of the Year: Mamelodi Sundowns

National Team of the Year:Uganda

Women’s National Team of the Year:Nigeria

Referee of the Year: Bakary Papa Gassama

Football Leader of the Year: Manuel Lopes Nascimento, President of Guinea Bissau Football Federation

Legend Award: Laurent Pokou, Former player of Cote d’Ivoire and Emilienne MBANGO, Former player of Cameroon

Africa Finest XI

Goalkeeper: Denis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)

Defenders: Serge Aurier (Cote d’Ivoire & Paris Saint-Germain), Aymen Abdennour (Tunisia & Valencia), Eric Bailly (Cote d’Ivoire & Manchester United), Joyce Lomalisa (DR Congo & AS Vita)

Midfielders: Khama Billiat (Zimbabwe & Mamelodi Sundowns), Rainford Kalaba (Zambia & TP Mazembe), Keegan Dolly (South Africa & Mamelodi Sundowns)

Forwards: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Borussia Dortmund), Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria & Leicester City)

Substitutes
Aymen Mathlouthi (Tunisia & Etoile du Sahel), Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal & Napoli), Salif Coulibaly (Mali & TP Mazembe), Islam Slimani (Algeria & Leicester City), Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Roma), Kelechi IHEANACHO (Nigeria & Manchester City), Alex  Iwobi (Nigeria and Arsenal)

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The 47-year-old Serb helped the Uganda Cranes end their 38-year wait to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and has been praised for transforming Ugandan football.

He is currently on a mission to help Uganda make their first appearance at the 2018 Fifa World Cup which will be held in Russia and got a crucial point when  his side drew against Ghana in a 2018 World Cup qualifier in Tamale.

According to super sport ,Micho who has   won 14 league titles in five different big clubs on the African continent has a dream of managing the Black Stars in the future.

“Like any other coach here in Africa, I hope I will be good enough one day to be the coach for Ghana’s Black Stars,” Sredojevic told Otec FM. “However, before that time arrives, I will continue to do my best for Uganda until my contract runs out.”

“If the chance to join Ghana comes one day, why not? If it does not, I will be the respectful opponent’s coach, who always try to get the maximum points against Ghana,” he added.

The former Rwanda coach Micho arrived in Uganda in May 2013 taking over the reins from the sacked Bobby Williamson and is a highly experienced figure in African football.

Meanwhile Ghana coach coach Avram Grant is under mounting pressure after his side dropped valuable points at home against Uganda putting their chances of qualification to the World Cup in jeopardy.

The former West Ham United and Portsmouth boss could be replaced if he fails to help his team qualify for the World Cup.

Micho’s Career stats:

Between 1987 and 1994 he played for five clubs (Svoboda Ljubjana, Sindelic Belgrade, Graficar Belgrade, FK Zorka Subotica and FK Pionir Subotica).

Teams Managed:

From 1994 to 2016 Micho managed 12 teams in Europe, but 15 of those years were spent coaching teams in Africa.

Micho has managed FK Palik, FK Spartak Subotica, Yugoslavia U20, FK Hajduk Kula, Villa SC, St. George, Orlando Pirates, Yanga, Al Hilal Omdurman, Rwanda and Uganda.

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