Uganda Cranes beat DR Congo Leopards 2-0 to get off the mark during their first fixture of the 2019 AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations) tournament, played at the Cairo International Stadium, in Egypt’s Capital.
The Saturday heroics was Uganda Cranes first victory at AFCON since 1978 when Uganda beat Nigeria 2-1 in the semi-finals.
Ugandans have taken to social media to congratulate the team.
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 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.
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.
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 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).