Marrakech, Morocco: Uganda Cranes produced an improved display to earn a 1-1 draw against The Gambia in an international friendly match played Monday evening at Stade de Marrakech Annexe.
The result was a significant recovery from the team’s 3-0 loss to Cameroon in their first build-up game last Friday, as head coach Paul Joseph Put made key tactical adjustments that energized his squad against former Cranes coach Jonathan McKinstry, now managing The Gambia.
Vardar Skopje winger Rogers Kassim Mato opened the scoring in the 25th minute, heading in a well-delivered corner from Patrick Jonah Kakande to hand Uganda an early lead.
The Gambia nearly equalized ten minutes later, rattling the crossbar with a powerful strike, before eventually drawing level through a penalty. Hibernian FC forward Alasana Manneh converted from the spot after a foul inside the box, sending goalkeeper Isima Watenga the wrong way in the 41st minute.
Uganda suffered a setback early in the second half when captain and goalkeeper Isima Watenga was stretchered off with a knee injury. He was replaced by Joel Mutakubwa, who held firm between the posts for the remainder of the match.
Coach Put rang in several substitutions that brought fresh energy, including defenders Hilary Mukundane and Enock Ssebagala, along with attackers Travis Mutyaba, Denis Omedi, and Shafik Nana Kwikiriza. The changes nearly paid off, with Omedi and Allan Oyirwoth coming close to snatching a late winner.
The 1-1 stalemate provided encouraging signs for Uganda’s technical bench ahead of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, showing improvement in defensive organization, tactical balance, and attacking intent.
Uganda Cranes Starting XI: Isima Watenga (Captain), Kenneth Semakula, Isaac Muleme, Jordan Obita, Toby Sibbick, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Allan Oyirwoth, Abdu Karim Watambala, Arafat Usama, Rogers Kassim Mato, Patrick Jonah Kakande
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