AFCON 2019: Museveni Optimistic After Crane's Historic Victory Over DRC

By Thomas Odongo & Fred Kiva

President Yoweri Museveni is optimistic national team, the Uganda Cranes will post more positive results as the AFCON progresses, given their brilliant start against DRC at the Cairo International Stadium, in Egypt’s Capital.

Uganda Cranes dumped the Democratic Republic of Congo 2-0 in their African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament match opener on Saturday evening. Goals from Patrick Kaddu and Emmanuel Okwi saw the Cranes overrun their opponents to top Group A, which among others has hosts Egypt.

The Saturday heroics was Uganda Cranes first victory at AFCON since 1978 when Uganda beat Nigeria 2-1 in the semi-finals.

Uganda scored a goal in each half with KCCA forward Patrick Kaddu drawing first blood while team veteran Emmanuel Okwi scored the other after the first half.

Faruku Miya had a say in all the goals.

Kaddu pounced home the opener after the quarter hour mark off Faruku Miya’s teasingly delivered corner kick.

Faruku Miya had a say in all the goals.

Kaddu pounced home the opener after the quarter hour mark off Faruku Miya’s teasingly delivered corner kick.

Okwi also glanced home Miya’s free-kick just three minutes into the second half and later setting the traveling fan base ablaze.

Okwi was later named TOTAL Man of the Match.

The Cranes’ superb display left many Ugandans excited, including President Museveni who immediately got to twitter to congratulate the national team for flying the country’s flag high.

“Congratulations to Uganda Cranes for that emphatic 2-0 victory over DR Congo in their opening game of AFCON2019. We are confident you will post more positive results as the tournament progresses and the country wishes you success. Well done,” the President said on Twitter. Museveni had earlier in the week urged the national team to work hard and bring the trophy home.

Uganda now leads group A with three points, like hosts Egypt.

Uganda’s next game is on Wednesday against Zimbabwe warriors who lost 1-0 to Egypt on an opening day (Friday).

Seeded in Pool A, Uganda will play its last group stage name against Egypt on Sunday.

Uganda’s performance in the game opener came as surprise to Ugandans, especially sports pundits who had earlier in their commentary regarded the Cranes underdogs in Group A which has the likes of hosts Egypt, Zimbabwe, and DR Congo. Many prominent Ugandans, including His Majesty, the Omukama of Toro Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru were in Egypt to watch the Cranes game live at Cairo International Stadium.

Other personalities congratulate the Cranes

First Lady and Education and Sports Minister Janet Museveni: “Hearty congratulations @UgandaCranes! You have brought joy to our hearts. Please keep it up to the end,” she posted on Twitter.

Former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi: “#UgandaCranes; absolutely exhilarating! You guys are all talented and are the best team in the tournament and you deserved to win. We are all proud of you. You are the best,” he tweeted.

Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, Lt Gen Muhoozi Kaineruga: “Congratulations to the mighty Uganda Cranes for their 2-0 victory over DRC. You taught them who we are. Maintain that momentum to the end.”

Uganda Cranes XI:

Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Bevis Mugabi (Yeovil Town), Godfrey Walusimbi (Un-attached), Jjuuko (Simba, Tanzania), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Unattached), Mike Azira (Montreal Impact, Canada), Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Simba, Tanzania), Khalid Aucho (Church Hill Brothers, India), Faruku Miya (HNK Gorica, Croatia), Patrick Henry Kaddu (KCCA FC, Uganda), Abdu Lumala (Syrianska, Sweden)

Changes:

Abdu Lumala Off – Allan Kyambadde ON

Patrick Henry Kaddu Off, Isaac Muleme ON

Abdu Lumala Off, Timothy Denis Awany ON

Subs Not Used:

Jamal Salim (Al Hilal-Sudan), Robert Odongkara (Adama City, Ethiopia), Nico Wakiro Wadada (Azam, Tanzania), Brian Mukiibi (Ostersunds, Sweden), Isaac Muleme (FK Viktoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, DR Congo),, Allan Kateregga (Maritzburg, South Africa), William Kizito Luwagga (Shakhter Karagandy, Kazakhstan), Tadeo Lwanga (Vipers SC-Uganda), Derrick Nsibambi (Smouha, Egypt).