Prior to the match in Yaounde on Monday, the big talk was on two old friends Uganda Cranes head coach Johnathan McKinstry and Zambia’s Chipolopolo Milutin Micho Sredojevic. Both coaches had targets to hit in this match. McKinstry came out on top with Uganda Cranes winning 2-0 against Zambia. Vianne Sekajugo and Steven Mukwala netted the two goals. Uganda has now managed four points from the opening two matches.
Vianne Sekajugo (R) scored one of Uganda’s goals against Zambia
Uganda Cranes drew 1-1 with Cameroon on New Year’s Day and will wind up their build up preparations in Yaounde durin the Pre- CHAN Mini Tournament with a match against Niger on Thursday 7th January 2021.
Joackiam Ojera in action against Cameroon on New Year’s Day
Micho took Uganda back to AFCON Finals after 39 years of waiting in 2016, so there was every reason for emotions and news headlines to be created ahed of the reunion.
Uganda Cranes Coach Johnathan McKinstry said that he was pleased following our second game here in Cameroon after what was a very positive performance against the host Nation a few days ago with ten men. We decided to basically change everybody in the team.
Orit Ibrahim was one of the ten new faces named in the starting line up against Zambia on Monday
“We made ten changes in the starting lineup but maintained one in Tonny Mawejje and that was purely to make sure the midfield had the right balance. We knew before the game that he would come out at halftime and Shafik Kagimu would come in”, he said.
Hassan Ssenyonjo came on a substitute in the second half
He added “We knew what substitutes would be made. The players knew what would happen at half time. Overall, I thought that the ten players who came in put up a good performance”
There is no doubt Zambia created chances as well but I felt they were more of half-chances compared to ours which were quality chances. When you create good chances you are most probably going to score.
Zambia Head coach Milutin Micho Sredojevic
Old Friends:McKinstry and Micho meet before the match at Annex 1 Omnnisports Complex
Uganda used their two chances while my team we hit post four times, not scoring and paid the most expensive prices. Congratulations to Uganda upon winning. It was a match between a tired team and well prepared team.
Life after the match. Professional greetings. Micho and McKinstry on Monday after Uganda beat Zambia 2-0
It has been a match helping both teams to prepare well and we have properly tested, tried and experimented before the official matches in CHAN that will be pure reflection how good we have prepared.