AFCON 2023 Qualifiers: Micho Drops Four As Uganda Travel To Tunisia Ahead Of Algeria Duel.

Algeria 2-0 Uganda: From Lukwago to Okwi – How Uganda Cranes Players Fired.

The Uganda Senior National Football team – the Cranes lost 2-0 to Algeria in their first group F game in the Total Energies 2023 Africa Cup of nations Qualifiers.

Virrareal defender Aissa Mandi and Brest FC danger man Youcef Muhammed Belaili scored in either half for Algeria to go top.

Bottom placed Uganda will host Niger on June 8th 2022 at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende in the second group game.

Henry Musabe rates Uganda Cranes players’ performance out of 10 after a disappointing 2-0 loss.

Charles Lukwago (GK) -5.5

Uganda still in the fight to get a perfect replacement for the retired captian Dennis Onyango in the goal posts, the St George FC goalie, was impressive on the night, made a number of saves that ensured the Cranes doesn’t concede many in Algiers.

He was above average and was my Man of the Match.

Gavin Kizito Mugweri -4

The young star tried to do his best against the unstoppable and most dangerous player on the pitch in Brest’s Youcef Belaili.

He could have done better on the first goal Uganda conceded by trucking Islam Slimani who headed in play for Mandi to score.

Isaac Muleme – 3.5

Another experienced player, that didnot have a good day in office, he looked unsettled and at many occasions he was seen just clearing the ball away back to the Algerians.

Halid Lwaliwa -4.5

Always at the receiving end at the center of the defense with Mukiibi, the Venoms’ captain is credited for his effort to tame Sporting CP experienced forward Slimani more especially on the arieal threat he caused.

Bavis Mugabi -5

The Motterwell center back, was another player who was impressive on the day, looked calm and composed.

Marvin Young Man – 4

The Bright stars FC Midfielder, looked better in the first half but then later, the stage looked bigger for the incoming young star in the Cranes squad and one may think Micho would have replaced him earlier but he took him off for striker Kakooza Derrick in the 82nd minute.

Khalid Aucho – 5

Booked earlier in the game, credited that he made some important interceptions and blocks in the second half mindful that he could be sent off. Their tried to do the job with Young man by proving a curtain to our backline and one could easily understand that Algeria was mostly using the wings.

Also credited for winning Uganda a penalty which Miya missed.

Farouk Miya – 3.5

A bad day in office for the golden boy, had a few touches in the first half and as well denied Uganda an equaliser when he missed a penalty in the 33rd minute. He was replaced early in the 55th minute by Martin Kizza.

Allan Okello – 4

The Paradou creative midfielder that loves to be on the ball, had litle work to do, as Uganda was mostly at the receiving end with only 85 complete passes in the whole game with a 19.5% ball possession.

Wasn’t surprised he was replaced by Steven Serwadda in the 55th minute.

Emmanuel Okwi (C)- 3

It was hard to notice that the team captain and the most experienced player was on the pitch for almost the whole of the first, however, was handed more time in the second half by Micho until he was latter pulled for a un-experienced Hakim Kiwanuka.

Milton Karisa – 5.5

One of the best performers on the day for Uganda, he was always a threat in possession with his speed and quick feet. He is also credited for the ground distance he covered chasing the ball.

Substitutes:

Steven Serwadda -3

Came on early in the 55th minute but you can hardly remember the number of touches he had on the ball.

Martin Kizza -3

The left footed Express winger didnot also have much possession and could hardly show his potential.

Bobosi Byaruhanga – 3.5

Came on with Hakim Kiwanuka for Milton Karisa for the last 15minutes but didnot have much to offer with little possession.

Hakim Kiwanuka -3

The stage looked bigger for the young man thrown on to the pitch for Emma Okwi.

Derrick Kakooza -N/A

Came on late for Youngman with just 8 minutes of normal time to play.

Coach: Mulitin Micho Sredojevic -3

It was quite clear with his team selection that he had come to defend from minute one, but the question was could they do it for 90 minutes?

Micho’s selection was questionable if he was tactically right to pick Youngman playing his first senior national team game ahead of a more experienced and inform Bobosi Byaruhanga. Also picking Hakim Kiwanuka and Derrick Kakooza ahead to come on ahead of the lethal experienced Muhammed Shaban is also another subject of debate.

One could easily believe that there could have been a few changes in his first XI and that all his substitutions had no visible impact.