Uganda Cranes’ COSAFA bound team managed to take a draw off an AFCON preliminary squad in a friendly played at Namboole.

Coach Abdullah Mubiru will stand in for head coach Sebastien Desabre in Durban as Uganda make a guest appearance at the competition at the quarterfinal stage Vs Lesotho.

Mubiru was not convinced about his side’s performance in a one all draw, although he had inferior players on paper as compared to the ones in Desabre’s AFCON side.

“We still have a long way to go but its a good beginning,” noted Mubiru, who doubles as a Police FC coach. “We didn’t manage the final third as good as we wanted but there was will for us to play from the back and try to penetrate much as we were always delayed from the middle.”

“It was not a good performance but its encouraging and we can build from there. By the time we kickoff out first game, we shall have gained real rhythm.”

Tooro United’s striker Allan Okello headed in at the 25th minute to give Mubiru’s side the lead but Patrick Kaddu levelled matters minutes after an hour mark in the second before both sides settled for a point.

Coach Mubiru who is a big preacher of the tik-tak game, added:

“We have to improve in the way we play in final third most especially at that moment when our opponents are compact.

“The AFCON team is experienced, more motivated and competitive which helped us to assess the performance levels of each player.”

Saidi Keni started in goal but could later pave way for a youngster Komakech who conceded against Kaddu. But the U17 shot stopper kept out efforts Godfrey Walusimbi.

John Revita looked water tight at the back, especially when Isaac Isinde came off, and Nicholas Kasozi settled in the middle of the park well.

Owori (Colgate), Bright Anukani and Bashir Mutanda all came on in the latter stages of the game.