Halid Lwaliwa header spares Uganda Cranes blushes

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Thursday’s Result

Uganda 1-0 South Sudan

Uganda edged closer to a third successive Africa Cup of Nations finals with a late win over neighbours South Sudan on Thursday at St Mary’s Stadium – Kitende.

The game clearly looked to be heading for a goalless draw until Halid Lwaliwa, who came on as a replacement for the injured Ronald Mukiibi in the 60th minute, headed home a Farouk Miya free kick in the 85th minute.

Before that the best chance had fallen to our former player Miya and now with Turkey’s Konyaspor as he saw his shot hit the post in the 72nd minute.

Cranes coach Jonathan Mckinstry offered youngster Abdul Karim Watambala his senior debut when he came on in the 77th minute for Khalid Aucho.

The result means Uganda have seven points from their opening three Group B games while South Sudan remain pointless.

The two will face each other again on Monday in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, in a game moved from Juba as the stadium there is being renovated.

Uganda Cranes Starting XI

Denis Onyango (GK), Elvis Bwomono, Joseph Ochaya, Ronald Mukiibi (Halid Lwaliwa), Mike Azira, Khalid Aucho (Abdul Karim Watambala), Emmanuel Okwi (Allan Okello), Derrick Nsibambi (Edirisa Lubega), Luwagga Kizito and Farouk Miya.