Karatu, Tanzania: Uganda Cranes’ CECAFA 3 Nations Tournament campaign got off to a stuttering start after a narrow 1-0 defeat to hosts Tanzania on Tuesday at the Black Rhino Academy Stadium in Karatu.
Tanzania struck early through Idd Nado in the 14th minute, and the solitary goal was enough to seal victory, exposing the Cranes’ inefficiency in front of goal despite dominating stretches of the match.
Cranes captain Allan Okello conceded the team lacked the killer instinct. “It wasn’t an easy game. We lost today, but we dominated most of the time,” he said in post-match comments to the media. “We needed to create more chances. We needed to utilise the ones we got.”
Despite the loss, the Vipers SC forward remained positive about the team’s future, saying; “The next game will help us understand each other better.”
“Dominating a game away from home isn’t easy. Hopefully, in the next game we create more and use the chances we get,” he added.
Cranes’ Co-head coach Morley Byekwaso admitted tactical errors in the first half cost Uganda dearly. “The first half wasn’t good. We allowed the Tanzanian defenders to push up and that gave us problems,” he said.
However, he praised his side’s improved second-half response. “We did not allow them to play and the game shifted in our favour. We created chances but didn’t take them.”
Byekwaso said the tournament is a critical learning curve as the Cranes prepare for the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN). “If we concentrate more on finishing our chances, I think we will be a better team in the tournament.”
Uganda will face Senegal in their next fixture of the tournament, where victory is now a must if they are to stay in contention.
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