Uganda Cranes sink Rwanda in World Cup qualifier in Kigali

Khalid Aucho

Uganda Cranes skipper Khalid Aucho (centre) controls the ball during their 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifying match against Rwanda in Kigali on October 7, 2021.

Photo credit: Pool | Fufa

What you need to know:

  • This was the Cranes first victory over Rwanda on the Amavubi Stars home soil in 11 attempts.
  • It is also the first time Uganda are winning a competitive game since the 1-0 victory over South Sudan in the 2022 Afcon qualifiers last November.

Kampala. Fahad Bayo was the match winner as Uganda registered their first 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifying goal and victory in Kigali Wednesday night.

The Cranes immediately ascended top of Group E on five points, a situation that was due a likely update from the late kickoff between Mali and Kenya.

This was the Cranes first victory over Rwanda on the Amavubi Stars home soil in 11 attempts.

It is also the first time Uganda are winning a competitive game since the 1-0 victory over South Sudan in the 2022 Afcon qualifiers last November.

The three points ahead of the return leg in Kitende on Sunday is the perfect gift for Uganda as the country celebrates her 59th Independence Day on Friday.

Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic and his team's target of six points from this back-to-back affair remains firmly on track.

Only the the group winner will advance to the playoffs due next March, from which five African representatives to the Qatar World Cup will be decided.

Micho started yet another World Cup qualifying game with a different goalkeeper, with Charles Lukwago returning after being benched for the draw against Mali.

Timothy Awany played his first game of the campaign alongside Enoch Walusimbi in central defence, while Taddeo Lwanga joined captain Khalid Aucho, Bobosi Byaruhanga and Moses Waiswa in the midfield.

Steven Mukwala and scorer Bayo were tasked to tire the Rwandan defence whenever an opportunity arose.

Micho, who made all five of his substitutions in the second half including introducing Aziz Kayondo for injured Isaac Muleme, Cromwell Rwothmio, Yunus Sentamu and Martin Kizza, approached this rather cautiously.

The Rwandans had Uganda on the back foot for most of the first half, with Lukwago the busiest of the two goalkeepers.

Djabel Manishimwe, skipper Haruna Niyonzima, Kevin Muhire, Meddie Kagere and Rafael York all tested the Ugandan defence but the visitors held firm.

But as half time approached, and against the run of play, Rwanda conceded a free-kick in a dangerous area.

Muleme drilled it in but the hosts failed to clear their lines.

The ball instead fell invitingly to Byaruhanga inside the penalty area, who drilled in a shot past goalkeeper Emery Mvuyekure and off the upright, with Bayo poking home the rebound on 41 minutes.

The Cranes did have one more good chance to bury the game midway the second half but Mukwala skied a free header from a brilliant delivery from the left.

Uganda, who defended for most of the second half, could have paid for that miss but Niyonzima miscued his effort with the goal at his mercy.

The fight carries on to Sunday, when the Amavubi Stars try their luck here.

Group E fixtures and results

Match Day 1 results

Mali 1-0 Rwanda

Kenya 0-0 Uganda

Match Day 2 results

Rwanda 1-1 Kenya

Uganda 0-0 Mali

Match Day 3 results

Mali v Kenya - late kick off

Rwanda 0-1 Uganda

Group E standings

Team      P   W    D   L   F   A   Pts

Uganda   3   1    2   0   1    0   5

Mali         2    1    1   0   1    0   4

Kenya      2    0    2   0   1    1   2

Rwanda   3    0    1   2   1   3   1


Upcoming fixtures

Match Day 4, October 10

Kenya v Mali

Uganda v Rwanda


Match Day 5, November 11

Uganda v Kenya

Mali v Rwanda

Match Day 6, November 14

Mali v Uganda

Kenya v Rwanda

Play-offs, March 2022