የኢትዮጵያ ብሄራዊ ቡድን በካምፓላ ከዩጋንዳ ብሄራዊ ቡድን ጋር ባደረገው የወዳጅነት ጨዋታ 3-0 ተሸንፏል፡፡ የዩጋንዳው ካዎዎ ስፖርት ያዘጋጀው የጨዋታ ሪፖርት ይህንን ይመስላል፡፡
UGANDA WHIPS ETHIOPIA IN INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
- by David Isabirye – Kawowo Sports
Uganda Cranes has warmed up for the upcoming AFCON 2015 Group E qualifier against Ghana with a convincing 3–0 home victory over the Ethiopia at Namboole Stadium on Sunday.
After a commanding start to the game in which Lweza F.C midfielder cum striker Michael Sserumaga marked his return to the national team after a 2 year absence, the Cranes had the better of the Ethiopian opposition in the opening 20 minutes.
AS vita striker, Yunus Sentamu had a 16th minute goal ruled out for off side after Sserumaga’s free kick before Massa missed from close range.
But it was the visiting team with the best chance of the half when Sirius F.C winger, Yusuf Saleh’s goal bound effort was parried for a corner by the Cranes’ towering goalkeeper, Robert Odongkara.
Towards the close of the half, the hosts won a seemingly contentious penalty when Michael Sserumaga was adjudged to have been fouled in the area.
The Tanzania referee, Israel Mujuni Nkongo did not hesitate to point to the spot – much to the disappointment of the entire Ethiopian team members.
Massa’s resultant kick was saved off goalie, Jaemal Tassew for a corner but the Ethiopians lacked concentration as Moses Oloya’s corner was easily converted for the Cranes lead by the half time whistle.
The goal was greeted by wild cheers from the mammoth crowd that included President Yoweri Museveni.
At the start of the second half, Uganda Cranes head coach, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic introduced El Merriekh goalkeeper, Jamal Salim for Robert Odongkara.
The hosts straight away rolled into action when Yunus Sentamu tapped the easiest of opportunities for Cranes’ second goal just after 2 minutes of the game restart.
Vipers’ F.C midfielder, Farouk Miya, a regular scorer in national colors made it 3 five minutes later with a great solo finish.
The goal gave Micho the impetus to test a few of his other changes as he made 5 replacements later in the game.
The first were a quartet conducted in the 66th minute.
SC Villa midfielder Hassan Wasswa replaced Becamex Binhduong FC’s Moses Oloya.
Kira Young’s Julius Ntambi came in for KCC’s Richard Kassaga , URA’s Robert Ssentongo for Vipers’ Miya Farouk and youngster,Keziron Kizito (features for Vipers F.C) for the tired legs of Michael Sserumaga.
Meanwhile, one last change for the Cranes came 13 minutes from full time when Brian Majwega, seemingly limping was replaced by KCC left back, Habibu Kavuma.
Robert Ssentongo twice tried from distance but his efforts went begging whilst Massa was hit a shot wide and on target apiece.
There were no serious threats from either team as Uganda resorted to ball possession antics as Ethiopia pressed for at least a consolation.
The match was used as a national campaign using the football and other sports as a platform to raise awareness about HIV and mobilize young people to commit to HIV prevention and access services. The campaign was dubbed “Protect the Goal Campaign”.
Uganda will face Ghana next Saturday as Ethiopia travels to Algeria on similar AFCON qualification mission.
