By Frank Kamuntu
Uganda Cranes beaten Congo 2-0 in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers at Mandela National Stadium in Namboole yesterday.
Aziz Kayondo and Jude Ssemugabi scored for the Cranes who picked their first win of the campaign took their points tally to 4 in two games, and top of the group.
Uganda started the match on the front foot, seeking an opener in front of a loud crowd.
In the third minute, the Cranes got their first chance at goal. Denis Omedi cut in from the left but his shot from just outside the box went over the bar.
Muhammad Shaban played Rogers Mato through but the latter was a second late for the pass.
Kayondo made a quick throw in to Mato who played Shaban through but the center forward was a bit slow with Congo clearing their lines.
At the quarter hour mark, Cranes had another chance. Ssekiganda played a long ball to find Mato who dribbled his way into the box but his ground cross was cleared.
In the 20th minute, Cranes took the lead through Aziz Kayondo who beat goalie with a cross-cum-shot. The left back recieved the ball in space from Mato driving through about 20 yards before shooting at goal for the opener.
Mato could have doubled the lead five minutes later but he could not find the target after cutting in to shoot.
The Cranes suffered a setback as Shaban paved the way for Jude Ssemugabi before halftime with an injury.
In the second half, Uganda took the foot off the pedal with Congo taking control of some moments in search of an equalizer.
However, the introduction Allan Okello for Travis Mutyaba restored some urgency in the Cranes attack. The Vipers forward set up Ssemugabi to seal the points for the home side with four minutes to full-time.
Uganda returns to action on 7th October when they host South Sudan at Namboole.
Uganda Cranes Starting XI
Isima Watenga (GK), Kenneth Semakula, Aziizi Kayondo, Bevis Mugabi, Elio Caprodossi, Ronald Ssekiganda, Rogers Mato, Khalid Aucho, Muhammad Shaban, Travis Mutyaba, Denis Omedi.
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