The Uganda Cranes continued their impressive showing at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe.
Emmanuel Okwi struck early for the Cranes inside 12 minutes before Khama Billiat equalised a few minutes to the break.
Both sides will feel let down by their respective strikers as they missed glorious opportunities to win the contest at either end.
The result means Uganda only require a point in their last game against Egypt, to ensure qualification to the knock-out stages while for Zimbabwe, they will need to defeat DR Congo and pray other results fall in their favour, if they are to make it to the last 16.
Here is how the Cranes players rated on Wednesday evening
Denis Onyango 8.5: The double save to deny Evans Rusike is as good as they get and one may not be able to find any better at the AFCON tournament so far. Onyango was at his best as he always is and cannot be blamed for Billiat’s equalizer.
Bevis Mugabi 6.0: The Yeovil Town defender struggled for almost the entire first half but as the game wore on, he improved.
Godfrey Walusimbi 6.0: Talent Chawapihwa bothered the un-attached left-back throughout the game but recovered later in the second half.
Ronald Mukiibi 5.0: Came in for the un-fit Murushid Juuko but was at the back-foot for 90 minutes as he failed to cope with the likes of Knowledge Musona, Khama Billiat and Ovidy Karuru.
Hassan Wasswa 5.5: Just like in the first game, Hassan Wasswa once again struggled to cope with the pacey forwards of Zimbabwe.
Khalid Aucho 5.0: The usually calm and composed anchorman was all-over the place as Zimbabwe dominated the game. Uncharacteristic of him, Aucho lost possession three times on Wednesday.
Mike Azira 4.0: After an impressive showing against DR Congo, the US-based central midfielder could barely get going throughout the game. Was replaced by Tadeo Lwanga at the hour mark.
Farouk Miya 6.0: Just like many of the Cranes, Miya also failed to replicate his first game heroics as he was barely given time on the ball. Failed to create anything meaningful in front of goal and was replaced by Timothy Awanyi with a minute of the 90 to play.
Lumala Abdu 6.5: Was the chief-orchestrator of the goal as he made a powerful run down the right and forced George Chigova to parry the ball into the path of Okwi but apart from that moment, Lumala was not the self he was against DR Congo.
Patrick Kaddu 5.5: Struggled for huge spells in the game as he was isolated up-front and was guilty of missing from an open goal late on.
Emmanuel Okwi 6.5: Scored Uganda’s goal on the night but that was what he pretty much did throughout the evening. Okwi was replaced by Allan Kyambadde with 17 minutes to play.
Substitutes
Taddeo Lwanga 6.0: As Uganda searched for a saviour while under pressure, it was Tadeo Lwanga who stood-up. After he was introduced in place of Azira, the Cranes looked a better side for the last 30 minutes.
Allan Kyambadde 5.5: Apart from winning a freekick near the Zimbabwe penalty area, moments after coming on, Kyambadde failed to once again make impact upfront.
Timothy Awany N/a: Came on for Miya with just a minute to play.
