AFCON Qualifiers: Uganda Cranes Defender Aziz Kayondo celebrates the opening goal at Namboole Stadium in the host’s 2-0 victory against Congo
Kampala, (UG):- After narrowly missing out on victory over South Africa in Friday’s opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Uganda Cranes secured a comfortable first victory as they edged out Congo Brazaville 2-0 on Monday evening.
Goals from defender Aziz Kayondo (21) and substitute Jude Ssemugabi (84) in either half sealed the win for Uganda Cranes to take home maximum points at a fully packed Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
The Cranes, playing their second game at home after a period of over three years were lively from the very first whistle until the game’s final stages.
Put shuffled the starting Xi that featured in the 2-2 draw with Bafana Bafana with two changes as Kenneth Ssemakula replaced Elvis Bwomono at right back and Muhammad Shaban who passed a late fitness test took over Steven Mukwala’s slot as Cranes’ centre forward.
Uganda started the game on a high tempo and dominated the early proceedings of the game. In the 18th minute, Congo’s Ryan Maxime Destin Bidounga got cautioned by the Tunisian referee Melki Mehrez for a foul on Crane’s Mutyaba.
Two minutes later, Kayondo, Uganda’s left back now featuring at FC Slovan Liberec lit up the charged fans with a long-range flying cross over the goalkeeper Pavelh Ndzila who turns up for Rwanda’s APR.
Uganda could have 2 goals up for the hosts six minutes later had Rogers Kassim Mato converted from close range following a great through pass from midfielder Ronald Ssekiganda.
On the half-hour mark, goalkeeper Isima Watenga was well-stationed to save a powerful header from defender Destin after an inviting free-kick.
The game was temporarily halted as a section of the stadium lights got off, a breather that the players optimally utilized to quench their thirst as the coaches preached their tactics once again.
As the lights returned, Uganda’s captain Khalid Aucho blocked a goal bound shot from Antoine Makoumbou, much to the delight of the ecstatic home crowd.
Congo nearly levelled the game heading to the break but striker Silvere Ganvoula Mboussy arrived late to meet a teasing by-line delivery from Merveil Valthy Streeker Ndockyt.
Towards the end of the opening stanza, Uganda lost forward Muhammad Shabana through injury and his place was taken by Kitara’s Jude Ssemugabi.
Congo had the last say of the opening half but goalkeeper Watenga was quicker off the blocks to thwart the danger.
Prior to the match, Paul Put was confident for a win saying; “the point away to South Africa will count for nothing if we don’t beat Congo at home,”
“We shall do all it takes to win at home and the lads are aware of that,” Put, who previously handled the Red Devils added.
In the first match played in South Africa on Friday, quickfire goals from Denis Omedi and Rogers Mato put the Cranes in a 2-1 lead over Bafana Bafana until Thalente Mbatha scored a leveller deep in injury time to secure a point for the hosts.
For Congo, they won 1-0 versus South Sudan in their own backyard but their ambition to make it two wins in two failed on the evening at Namboole as Paul Put’s side looked for much in control with a flurry of chances falling on Uganda’s side.
Monday’s win propelled Uganda to the summit in Group K with 4 points after two matches ahead of Tuesday’s contest between South Africa and South Sudan in matchday two of the qualifiers.
The Starting XIs
Uganda: Watenga (GK), Kenneth Semakula, Bevis Mugabi, Aziz Kayondo, Elio Capradossi, Kalid Aucho ©, Ronald Ssekiganda, Jamal Mutyaba, Muhammad Shaban, Denis Omedi, and Rogers Mato.
Subs: Alionzi Nafian (G.K), Charles Lukwago (G.K), Jude Ssemugabi, Isaac Muleme, Stephen Mukwala, Calvin Ddamulira Kabuye, Allan Okello, Joel Sserunjogi, Elvis Bwomono, Joackim Ojera, Joseph Ochaya, Halidi Lwaliwa.
Congo: Ndzila; Poaty, Bidounga, Passi, Andzouana; Dembi, Massanga; Bassouamina, Ndockyt, Makoumbou, Bassouaimina, and Ganvoula.
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