AFCON 2021 Qualifiers
Group B, Match day II
Sunday results
Uganda 2-0 Malawi
South Sudan 1-2 Burkina Faso
Uganda Cranes Coach Jonathan McKinstry came into Saturday’s fixture against Burkina Faso at the Namboole stadium on the back of a win and draw in his first two games in charge since replacing Sebastien Desabre.
The two games were on the road; a 1-0 win at Ethiopia in the friendly which was the Irish man first game in charge before holding Burkina Faso to a barren draw in the opening Total AFCON 2021 qualifier on Wednesday. Emanuel Okwi gave the hosts undeserved lead when the nicely controlled Joseph Ochaya long ball from the left to shoot hard in the 29th minute.
Uganda started on the back foot. Midfielders Khalid Aucho and Michael Azira played from deep and were occasionally joined in the central part by Okwi, casual Luwagga Kizito and off-color Miya Faruku which left lead striker Fahad Bayo virtually isolated.
McKinstry played with a 4-3-3 formation which switched to a 4-5-1 when the ball is lost. Full backs Joseph Ochaya and Nico Wakiro Wadada were given room to open up wide and bring cross although they did not live the expectation.
Uganda took a 1-0 half time lead as the Uganda Cranes returned to Namboole for the first since Patrick Kaddu only goal sent Uganda to AFCON 2019 finals after a 1-0 win at Cape Verde.
Fahad Bayo pounced on loose defending by the Flames when they lost possession on the edge to shoot in the roof past advancing Malawi keeper Brighton Munthali for Uganda’s second. It was Bayo’s first goal in his first game at the senior Cranes –having already scored for the CHAN team.
The Vipers SC forward scored in the 66th minute to make it two goals in three Cranes games. The September best StarTimes Uganda premier league beast footballer is also the current joint league top scorer with 8 goals alongside Ben Ocen of Police FC.
Unbeaten and yet to concede, Uganda are top of group B with 4 points after 2 games bettering second placed Burkina Faso with just a goal difference. Burkina Faso beat South Sudan 2-1 away in the other group game. Malawi are third with 3 points while winless South Sudan are at the foot with no point.
