NAMBOOLE – The Uganda Cranes defeated Cape Verde 1-0 on Saturday afternoon to ensure that they seal their ticket to the AFCON finals in Cameroon 2019.
In a tightly contested fixture, KCCA forward Patrick Kaddu scored the game’s only goal with 13 minutes of the 90 to play.
Here is how the Cranes players rated:
Denis Onyango 7.0: Was caught in no-man’s land twice, one of which requiring a goal line clearance by Murushid Jjuuko but aside from that, led the team like he always does and kept a fifth consecutive clean sheet in the campaign.
Nicholas Wadada 6.5: Rarely required to contribute defensively as most of the Cape Verde attacks were down the left side of Uganda’s back line. Made a few decent runs down the right but with no telling end product.
Godfrey Walusimbi 7.5: Sent in the delicious cross which Kaddu headed in for the winner. Was brilliant throughout the game as he took care of his defensive duties well and also went forward at will.
Hassan Wasswa 6.0: For the second game in a row, the big center-back struggled at home. Received the first yellow card of the game after poor timing just outside the area.
Murushid Jjuuko 7.5: Aside from the reckless challenge that saw him booked with a few minutes to half time, Jjuuko was at his best throughout the game. He also made a goal line clearance to save Uganda just minutes before Kaddu scored.
Denis Iguma 7.5: The unsung hero of the team this campaign. Iguma was at it again, dictating the tempo on which the team plays and marshaling the midfield.
Aucho Khalid 7.0: The evergreen Aucho shielded the back-line well but seemed to tire as the game wore on.
Moses Waiswa 8.0: Waiswa has taken his chance in the National team with both hands and continues to impress with each passing game. Was again lively throughout the game on Saturday.
Farouk Miya 7.0: Miya was almost back to his usual best at Namboole as he kept running at the opposition back line and trying to play others in. Was a bit selfish at times when in decent positions to play in a teammate.
Isaac Muleme 6.0: The Egyptian based wing-back looked like a lost sheep at first but grow into the game as it wore on with a few brilliant touches down the left.
Patrick Kaddu 8.5: Honestly it was a surprise for me to see the KCCA FC striker start on Saturday after the poor show in Maseru, but he grabbed his chance with both hands, running all day, trying to make things happen and eventually scoring the winner.
Substitutes:
Allan Kyambadde 6.5: Came on to try and take the team further forward and that is what he did exactly as they created more and better chances with the KCCA forward on the pitch.
Edrisa Lubega NA: Replaced Kaddu with just under 10 minutes to play but could not impose his authority onto the game.
Timothy Awanyi NA: Came on so late in the game.
