South Sudan 1-0 Uganda: Okello on target as Bright Stars frustrate the Cranes

South Sudan XI Vs Uganda Cranes at Nyayo Stadium

AFCON 2021 Qualifiers (Group B):

South Sudan 1-0 Uganda Cranes

Malawi 0-0 Burkina Faso

Tito Okello Odong was on target as South Sudan registered a memorable 1-0 victory over Uganda Cranes during the AFCON 2021 qualifiers at Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi.

Okello, one of the nationalized players on the South Sudan’s team converted a 35^th minute penalty.

The penalty arose after a foul in the forbidden area by defender Halid Lwaliwa in the goal area.

Moments before the goal, Uganda Cranes had lost a man when Khalid Aucho received marching off orders from Benin’s FIFA Referee Djindo Louis Houngnandande for a professional foul.

Khalid Aucho was sent off in the first half

Uganda Cranes most clear chance at goal came in the second half through Faruku Miya’s free-kick that hit the cross bar and bounce onto the line.

South Sudan also lost a player when second half substitute Musa Abdallah was red carded for a foul on Emmanuel Arnold Okwi.

In the game proper, it was a game of balanced moments.

Makuweth Wol had a 22^nd minute goal on target that was easily tamed by captain Denis Onyango

Two minutes later, Nicholas Wakiro Wadada delivered a teasing and inviting cross that was not met by anyone.

Towards the half hour mark, Faruku Miya’s free-kick nearly missed target from 30 yards.

South Sudan gained numerical advantage in the 33^rd minute when Aucho whistled down Wol near the goal area.

The referee Houngnandande did not hesitate to send off the burly Uganda Cranes midfielder but the resultant free-kick from David Omot from 20 yards missed target by inches.

Midfielder Khalid Aucho walking off the field of play after being sent for an early shower

It was South Sudan’s joy again in the 35^th minute as Wol was brought down by Lwaliwa in the penalty area.

Tito Okello, currently employed at Gor Mahia struck the resultant kick from the penalty spot in the net, sending Onyango the wrong way.

Uganda Cranes technical bench immediately reacted with a tactical substitution.

William Kizito Luwagga was rested for midfielder Mike Azira in the 40^th minute.

Moments later, Miya had another free-kick cleared away but the rebound by Azira was a routine collection by goalkeeper Majik.

The final piece of action for the opening half witnessed Tito Okello combine with Wol Makuweth but the ball sailed out of play.

When the second half kick, Uganda Cranes further made more changes.

Debutant Disan Galiwango and Karim Watambala were replaced by Elvis Bwomono and Okwi respectively.

Disan Galiwango in action for Uganda Cranes. He has his debut for the senior team

This meant that Cranes shifted to a three -man defence line with Timothy Awany on the left and Bwomono at right back back as Wadada was shifted to right wing attack.

Three minutes into second half, Allan Okello got fouled by South Sudan captain Peter Manyang but the free-kick from Miya was foiled by goalkeeper Majik

Substitute, Ivan Wani who plies his trade at Busoga United in the Uganda Premier League then set up Tito Okello who shot on the first time and won a corner-kick for South Sudan in the 55^th minute.

Uganda’s version of Okello set for Okwi who shots into the net but the effort was ruled out for offside in the 58^th minute.

On the hour mark, Okwi’s shot was stopped by the goalkeeper Majik but Miya blasted over the rebound.

At this time, Uganda made yet another change, introducing Edrisa “Torres” Lubega for Wadada.

Miya had a free corner-kick delivery tapped wide by defender Awany after 65 minutes before the former also witnessed a free-kick miss target by a close range.

South Sudan’s Musa Abdallah who plays at AFC Leopards in Kenya was cautioned for a dangerous foul on Allan Okello after 67 minutes.

Bwomono had a cross from the right well defended as the minutes trickled away.

Team Line Up:

Uganda Cranes XI: Denis Onyango (18), Nicholas Wakiro Wadada (14), Disan Galiwango (4), Halid Lwaliwa (15), Timothy Denis Awany (03), Khalid Aucho (08), Karim Watambala (25), Faruku Miya (17), Allan Okello (20), Fahad Bayo (09), Kizito Luwagga (10)

Substitutes: Jamal Salim (19), Charles Lukwago (01), Paul Patrick Mbowa (24), Shafiq Kagimu (13), Edrisa Lubega (22), Brian Aheebwa (16), Mike Azira (23), Emmanuel Okwi (07), Derrick Paul Nsibambi (11), David Owori, Elvis Bwomono (06), Ronald Mukiibi Ddungu (12)

South Sudan XI Vs Uganda Cranes at Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi

South Sudan XI: Majak Maling Mawith (23 – Goalkeeper), Abdulkarim Yom Mutwakil (29), Peter Maker Manyang (4), Rehan Angier Malong (14), Manyumom Achol (8), Jackson Morgan Odebe (16), David Sebit Omot (17), Daniel Chok Dau (Jihluva, Czech Republic), Chok Tito Okello Odong (10), Makueth Wol Akeen Nguet (22), Stephen Pawaar Lony (25)

Substitutes: Godfrey Nyeko Okello (3), Abdalla Asad Musa (24), John Kuol Chol (15), Kenjok Wal Athiu (9), Dominic Abul Pretino (11), Joseph Kuch Nyuar Atak (12), Dominic Angelo Kornelio Aroma (6), Bak Majok Nyang (2), Denis Yongure Daluri (20), Aluck Akech Mabior (19), Ramadan John Mayik Diing (1 – Goalkeeper), Ivan Wani Adebo (7)