Balinya (left) in action. Photo – Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Tuesday, June 4
Uganda 1-1 South Africa
*S.A win 4-2 on penalties
Uganda Cranes failed to capitalise on their early second half lead before losing to South Africa in the shootouts after normal time ended 1-1.
Dan Mzee Sserunkuma slotted home at the restart but Luther Singh fired into the roof to level matters for the Bafana Bafana young side in a game played at Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban on Tuesday.
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In the shootouts, South Africa’s shot stopper Mondli Mpoto turned the hero – Keeping out the two opening kicks from Mustafa Kizza and Muzamir Mutyaba as South Africa squeezed their way into the Finals.
Shafic Kagimu and Nicholas Kasozi sent the kepeer the wrong way from the spot but it all proved for nothing as Luther Singh, Neo Gift, Thendo Mukumela and Jamie Craig Webber scored past Charles Lukwago.
It should be noted that both sides had been eliminated from the COSAFA Cup proper, via penalties – Uganda succumbed to Lesotho as South Africa lost to Botswana.
Uganda will face the loser between Comoros and Malawi (playing in the other semi) in the third place playoff on Friday, June 7.
“We were just unlucky today,” Coach Abdullah Mubiru told SuperSport after the loss. “We wasted many chances and am sure we could have won this in normal time.”
Juma Balinya had a chance to double Uganda’s lead but his effort was kept out for a corner before the keeper once again saved Isaac Isinde’s header from a resultant kick.
Balinya later on capitalised from South Africa’s sloppy defence to go through but had his shot rattle the side net from a tight angle.
Lukwago, despite failing to help Uganda in the shootouts, he made two double saves in the latter stages of the game and had earlier collected Jamie Webber’s header.
Team Used:
Charles Lukwago, Paul Willa, Mustafa Kizza, Isaac Isinde, John Revita, Muzamir Mutyaba, Nicholas Kasozi, Michael Birungi, Shafic Kagimu, Juma Balinya, Dan Serunkuma.
Used Subs:
Allan Kayiwa on for Birungi, Anukani Bright on for Balinya, Nelson Ssenkatuka on for Mzee Dan.
Unused Sub
James Alitho, Paul Patrick Mbowa, Paul Mucureezi, Daniel Isiagi, Mustafa Mujuzi, Hassan Musana.
