Sentamu was ahndful for the visitors. He had a goal disallowed in the firsthalf but missed four clear chances later in the game.

International friendly Uganda 3-0 Mauritania

Francis Olaki helped Cranes to a 3-0 victory over Mauritania on Thursday in an international friendly at Mandela National Stadium as the Uganda ‘B’ intensified preparations for the 2014 Africa Nations Championship in South Africa.

Teenager Olaki scored on his first Cranes game.
Teenager Olaki scored on his first Cranes game. PHOTO John Batanudde

The Soana striker came off the bench to score on his first international cap four minutes after  the hour mark and put the result beyond doubt, tapping home a deflected cross from close range Richard Kasagga drop-down header. Uganda’s substitutes had earlier combined to deliver the second, with Brain Majwega cutting in a powerful corner from the left to set up Savio Kabugo for a header from the edge of the 16- area in the 60th minute. the deadlock

St Mary's Kitende student Yunus Sentamu tears through the Mauritania defence at Namboole. PPHOTO John Batanudde
St Mary’s Kitende student Yunus Sentamu tears through the Mauritania defence at Namboole. PPHOTO John Batanudde

Majwega had earlier broken the deadlock for the CHAN-bound Uganda Cranes with a clinical free kick in the 50th minute 30 meters away from goal .

Uganda has not been firing on all cylinders since beating Tanzania in the qualifiers, yet the ruthless edge that epitomized Cranes Coach, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic first games in charge of the national team continues to shine through.

Sentamu was  ahndful for the visitors. He had a goal disallowed in the firsthalf  but missed four clear chances later in the game.
Sentamu was ahandful for the visitors. He had a goal disallowed in the first half but missed four clear chances later in the game. PHOTO John Batanudde

There were few chances of note in the opening 45 minutes, with last-ditch blocks and wayward finishing keeping the score goalless  with Ivan Ntege, Yunus Sentamu and midfielder and skipper Denis Guma the standout performers for the Cranes. Senior Six vacist Sentamu however missed four glorious chances and will have to be more lethal infront of goal to impress in South Africa.

Uganda wasted decent chances during a penalty-box melee in the early minutes of the second half — missed opportunities which the team was left to rue as Cranes took control of the game.

Majwega replaced Said Kyeyune at recess, scored once and created twice with his corner kicks.
Majwega replaced Said Kyeyune at recess, scored once and created twice with his corner kicks. PHOTO Stephen Muneza

Mauritania were left chasing shadows for the remainder of the game and it was no surprise when Olaki completed the scoring with almost half an hour remaining.

Micho positive
The Serb insisted he trusts his squad will do well during the upcoming tourney after what he termed as a ‘real-test’ against a typical West African opponent.The Coach said the squad of 23 players that he selected early this week has worked hard and they will make the country proud.
Uganda coach Micho Sredojevic reacts during the game. The Serb believes his young untested team can gel in the next few days  before departure. PHOTO Stephen Muneza
Uganda coach Micho Sredojevic reacts during the game. The Serb believes his young untested team can gel in the next few days before departure. PHOTO Stephen Muneza

In the post-match press briefing, the 40 year-old said he believes his players have what it takes to get results at the tournament.“We still have few days to polish up, but those selected know what is expected of them and they will hold the national flag high,” explained the Coach.

Micho said although some of the players will be making their debuts in a big tournament, the likes of Hassan Wasswa Mawanda and goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan who have featured in South African teams before will carry the team.

Experienced  winger Vicent Kayizzi was composed and was later taken off for Allan Kyambadde in the second half. PHOTO John Batanudde
Experienced winger Vicent Kayizzi was composed and was later taken off for Allan Kyambadde in the second half. PHOTO John Batanudde

Uganda is pooled alongside Zimbabwe, Morocco and Burkina Faso. Although Micho has said Morocco will be the most difficult team because of the vast exposure of their players, he added that they must also be very cautious against the other two teams in the group.

“Our mission is to first make it through the Group stage then we start planning for the knock out stage,” he added.

In the 2011 event held in Khartoum, Sudan, the Cranes failed to make it out of the Group stage.
Exhausted Mauritania
The Mauritania team, that beat Rwanda League champions Rayon Sport 2-1 on Tuesday in Kigali looked exhausted and for long spells exposed their goalkeeper to Ugandan strikers. They have been on the road for long hours and never got enough time to rest before the Uganda friendly.
Mauritania’s success has however been credited to Frenchman and ex-Guinea and DR Congo coach Patrice Neveu who has been in charge of the team since 2012.
Neveu guided Mauritania to a historical first-ever qualification to an international tournament after 53 years of independence with qualification to CHAN after defeating Liberia and Senegal en route to South Africa.
Mauritania is in Group D together with Burundi, Gabon and Democratic Republic of Congo and will play their group games in Polokwane.

Team captain Denis Guma thanks the fans after fulltime. He patrolled the midfield well alongside Man-of-the Match Ivan Ntege
Team captain Denis Guma (C) thanks the fans after fulltime. He patrolled the midfield well alongside Man-of-the Match Ivan Ntege PHOTO Stephen Muneza

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