Cranes Regional tour
Eastern region 0-3 Uganda Cranes
In a bid to take the national team to football fans in the remote areas, Uganda Cranes like it has been the case in the previous two years had a regional tour game in Eastern Uganda.
The Cranes defeated Eastern region select 3-0 in the game played at the Municipal grounds (Kamuli District) on Sunday.
Emmanuel Okwi who was the captain of the cranes continued his sublime form getting onto the score sheet with Nelson Ssenkatuka and Martin Kiiza scoring the other goals.
Okwi extended his scoring spree from the league where he has scored 7 goals for SC Villa in as many games scoring Uganda cranes third goal of the day.
This was the first time that Okwi was playing for the national team since 29th March 2016 in the goalless draw against Burkina Faso.
The other player who returned after a long time was Savio Kabugo. The gangly defender is notably remembered for his goal against Ghana in 2014.
Proline’s striker Nelson Ssenkatuka had given the Cranes the lead as early as the 8th minute tapping home Martin Kiiza’s ground cross.
Kiiza also got his name on the score sheet striking from a free kick in the 21st minute before Okwi added the other 7 minutes later as the Cranes went on rampage in the opening half.
There were no further scores after recess despite either side making changes.
The Cranes play Kenya’s Harambee Stars this Thursday in Machakos in an international friendly.
Eastern select starting XI
Herbert Ssebwalunyo, Farouk Mudoola, Joshua Nkabi, Peter Musoke, Yusuf Najib, Amos Etoju, Rajab Abdulrahman, Deo Eseje, David Bagoole, Juubu Malangu, Ibrahim Kazindula
Substitutes
Aziz Omony, Sande Olobo, Najib Faisal, Benson Isma, Michael Abbas, Jackson Ziraba Mukama, Ben Musana, Vicent Lukwago, Rajab Wasswa, Fahad Badhiro
Cranes starting XI
Nicholas Ssebwato, Joseph Nsubuga, Hassan Musana, Savio Kabugo, Allan Anguyo, Abel Eturude, Shafik Kagimu, Ambrose Kirya, Emmanuel Okwi, Nelson Ssenkatuka, Martin Kiiza
Second team
Saidi Keni (GK), Allan Drajua, Arafat Galiwango, Toha Rashid, Brian Nsubuga, Saddam Juma, Hudu Mulikyi, Vitalis Tabu, Kabon Living, Hood Kaweesa, Villa Oromchan