11 November 2021 | Football

Fahad Bayo came to the rescue of Uganda Cranes in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers game played on Thursday at St. Mary's Stadium in Kitende.

Bayo netted a late-late equalizer to keep Uganda's hopes of advancing to the second round of qualifiers alive with leaders Mali taking on Rwanda later.

Michael Olunga scored the opening goal of the match in the second half and Harambee Stars were on course for victory but Bayo capitalized on goalkeeper Brian Okoth Bwire's error to draw Uganda level.

Uganda needed nothing short of victory to keep the pressure up on leaders Mali before the two sides meet in Morocco for the decisive tie.

The start to the game was slow with no urgency from the hosts and the first half had no clear chances.

The introduction of Ibrahim Orit, Milton Karisa, and Allan Okello in the second half saw Cranes open up and play with some urgency. Karisa had a couple of penalty shouts waved.

Earlier, Bevis Mugabi had an effort fly over the bar after Bwire had spilled Bobosi Byaruhanga's freekick.

Substitute Martin Kizza skewed an effort from inside the area that could have been the winner just wide in Uganda's final chance of the game.

It's the sixth straight draw between the Cecafa opponents in all competitions, a run that shows how close the rivalry is between the two sides.

The draw Uganda moves to nine points, one below leaders Mali who faces Rwanda later in the day before the two sides (Uganda and Mali) meet in three days time.

The Cranes will travel to face Mali on Sunday without defender Timothy Awany and striker Yunus Sentamu who are ruled out after picking their second yellow cards.

Teams

Uganda Starting XI: Charles Lukwago (GK), Denis Iguma, Timothy Awany, Bevis Mugabi, Aziizi Kayondo, Khalid Aucho, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Moses Waiswa, Isaac Muleme, Steven Mukwala, Fahad Bayo

Substitutes: Watenga Ismail (GK), Kigonya Mathias (GK), Mulondo Livingstone, Kakooza Mahad, Mugweri Garvin, Revita John, Kagimu Shafiq, Kizza Martin, Orit Ibrahim, Okello Allan, Karisa Milton, Sentamu Yunus.

Coach: Milutin Sredojevic Micho

Kenya Starting XI: Brian Bwire (GK), Joseph Okumu, David Ochieng, Abud Omar, Amos Nondi, Anthony Akumu, Kenneth Muguna, Anthony Wambani, Abdallah Hassan, Samuel Onyango, Michael Olunga.

Substitutes: Ian Otieno (GK), James Saruni (GK), Musa Mohammed, Johnstone Omurwa, Richard Odada, Duke Abuya, Timothy Noor Ouma, Alwyn Tera, Cliff Nyakeya, Cliffton Miheso, Ismael Salim

Coach: Engin Firat

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