Egypt 2:0 Uganda

International Friendly

Egypt 2-0 Uganda

Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic’s Uganda Cranes were beaten 2-0 by Egypt in an international friendly in Cairo on Monday night.

The home side scored in either half through Ahmed Eid and Hazem Emam to register their second international win over Uganda in two months after a 3-0 victory in El Gouna on August 14.

Micho made several changes to the side that lost 1-0 in Marrakech, Morocco against Senegal, giving a chance to a new front combination of local based Frank Kalanda and Simon Okwi while also playing Ali Feni of Uganda Revenue Authority down the flank.

SC Victoria University’s Savio Kabugo was used alongside skipper Richard Kasagga in defence but the new boys failed to make an impression.

Okwi had several chances in bright period for Cranes before the end of the first half but each time was off target with his shooting.

Brian Majwega playing as a left fullback hit the cross bar. Like Majwega, Egypt’s Shikabala also hit the post after his shot had beaten Ochan.

After recess, both Coaches made immediate changes with Bob Bradley introducing Bassem Ali and Hazem Emam for Omar Gaber and Mohamed Ibrahim respectively while Micho brought on Moses Feni Ali for debutant Simon Okwi. In the 58th minute, Micho made another change with Simon Namwanja replacing Manko Kaweesa a move meant to push Majwega upfront in search for a goal but it was Egypt on the score sheet again with substitute Hazem Emam doubling The Pharaohs lead towards the 70th minute.

In a surprise move, second half substitute Moses Feni Ali was later replaced by Kiira Young midfielder Brian Nkuubi. Uganda should have at least got a consolation but URA FC striker Frank Kalanda was again at fault for missing a one on one opportunity.

The six-time AFCON champions Egypt were using the game to prepare for a 2014 World Cup qualifier play-off against the Black Stars of Ghana on October 15in the first leg before the second leg on November 19.

The Cranes, who were also using the game as a build-up ahead of their defence of the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup and the 2014 Africa Nations Championship, travelled to Cairo last evening.

Micho’s team was meant to face Iraq on October 3 in the Amman Stadium in Jordan, but the earlier plans were put on hold.

Egypt Pharaohs Line Up:

El-Shennawy, Omar Gaber (Bassem Ali), Okka, Mahmoud Alaa, Abdel-Shafy, El-Sulaya, Abd-Rabo, Mohamed Ibrahim (Hazem Emam), Ahmed Eid, Shikabala, Hamoudi

Uganda Cranes Line Up:

Benjamin Ochan, Ayub Kisaliita, Brian Majwega, Richard Kasagga (Cpt), Savio Kabugo, Manko Kaweesa (Simon Namwanja), Said Kyeyune, Joseph Mpande, Nicholas Wadada, Frank Kalanda and Simon Okwi (Feni Moses Ali [Brian Nkubi]).