INTERNATIONAL FREINDLY
Hosts Ethiopia sink Uganda Cranes in friendly match
Ethiopia’s Walias beat Uganda Cranes 2-1 in an international friendly match played at the Bahir Dar International Stadium on Sunday, August 29th.
The home side that was dominant for most of the spells of the match took the lead through Nasir Abubeker after 11 minutes. The visitors tried to fight back, but lacked the edge to find the goals.
In the second half Abel Yelew made it 2-0 for Ethiopia after 54 minutes when he he finished past Uganda’s goalkeeper Ismeal Watenga.
Second-half substitute and top scorer in the 2020/2021 Uganda Premier League Yunus Sentamu pulled a goal back for Uganda Cranes.
As the home side continued to dominate possession, the Cranes defended deep in numbers. Uganda Cranes coach Milutin Micho Sredojevic made some chances, but the goals were not fourth coming.
Wubetu Abate said he was pleased with his player for the good display. “I am happy that we have played two friendly matches drawing goalless against Sierra Leone and beating Uganda. This has been a good warm up before we play two matches next month in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers 2022,” added Abate.
Uganda’s coach Sredojevic said the match was a good test for his players before they travel to Kenya on Monday ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2022 World Cup qualifier.
“The match was very important as it pointed out to the test of the players. We saw shortcomings of the players and what they are capable of and how best to improve,” added the coach.
In another international friendly played on Sunday night, Burundi lost 3-0 to Algeria in a match played in Al-Wakrah, Qatar. The goals were scored by Mohamed Islam Belkheir, Billal Benhamouda and Zinedine Boutmene. The two teams used only home based players.
The Ocean Stars of Somalia have defeated hosts Bahrain 2-1 in an International friendly match played on Monday at the Bahrain National Stadium.
Issa Maris gave Bahrain the lead, but Mohamad Omar leveled matters making it 1-1 going into the break.
The home side ranked 90th as per the latest FIFA ranking piled more pressure on Somalia ranked 202nd, but failed to find the goals.
Issa Adam later scored Somalia’s winning goal to record their first win at International level since 2019.
The two teams used the International friendly match to prepare ahead of the FIFA Arab Cup qualifying matches later this month in Qatar.
Bahrain will face Djibouti, while Somalia take on Oman with the two matches slated for November 26th Sudan and South Sudan are the other teams from the CECAFA Zone that will play in the qualification round of the FIFA Arab Cup 2025.
On Saturday Tanzania lost 4-3 in a friendly match against Kuwait, while Djibouti suffered a 6-0 defeat to hosts Morocco.
Meanwhile, two teams from the CECAFA Zone will be involved in International friendly matches on Tuesday with Uganda facing hosts Morocco, Kenya taking on Senegal in a match to be played in Turkey.
The national teams of Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda will be involved in International friendly matches during the FIFA International Match Window of November 14-18th, 2025.
Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda will also use the international friendly matches to prepare ahead of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.
The Sudan team which will also play in the FIFA Arab Cup later this month will face-off against Oman in an International friendly match to be played November 14th in Muscat, Oman.
Uganda Cranes will also be involved in two international friendly matches against Chad and Africa’s top ranked team Morocco. Edgar Watson, the Chief Executive Officer of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) announced on Thursday that the national team will face Chad on November 14th and take on Morocco four days later. The two matches will be played in the town of Tangier in Morocco.
The Taifa Stars of Tanzania under new caretaker coach Miguel Gamondi will also play against Kuwait in a match slated for November 14th at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt.
While the AFCON 2025 bound CECAFA teams Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda will be engaged with international matches, the Harambee Stars of Kenya and Burundi will also be engaged with matches during the same period.
Kenya will play two International friendly matches against Madagascar and Senegal between November 14-18th in Antalya, Turkey, while Burundi will host Zambia at the newly renovated Intwari Stadium in Bujumbura.
Uganda Cubs suffered a 2-1 defeat to Panana U-17 team in their second match at the on-going U-17 Dubai Youth Challenge on Sunday.
Simon Wanyama gave Uganda Cubs the lead after 13 minutes at the Al Hamriya Cultural and Sports Club.
But the Panama side earned a penalty later that Gordon Gerson converted after 29 minutes as the match went into the break 1-1.
After recess the Panama team piled more pressure and scored again through Richards Moises after 58 minutes. The Uganda Cubs tried to push forward to find more goals, but failed to convert the numerous scoring opportunities.
“We have learnt some lessons from this match s we prepare ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup next month,” said Uganda’s coach Brian Ssenyondo.
Uganda settled for a 1-1 draw against Venezuela a few days ago. The Cubs will take on Paraguay in the last match on October 28th. The three teams in the mini Challenge are using the event to prepare ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup to take place in Qatar next month.
Tanzania’s Taifa Stars have suffered a 2-0 defeat to Iran in an International friendly match played at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai on Tuesday.
Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh gave Iran the lead from the spot after 17 minutes. Mohammad Mohebi had been brought down inside the area and referee pointed to the spot.
Taifa Stars tried to re-organise themselves and pushed forward, but failed to find an equalizer.
Later defender Ibrahim Hamd deflcted Mohebi shot after 26 minutes for Iran to go 2-0 up.
In the second half Tanzania made changes bringing on Morice Abraham for Feisal Salum, Lusajo Mwaikenda on for Israel Mwenda, and Charles M’Mombwa went off for Abdul Sopu who came on.
Substitute Alireza Jahanbakhsh later scored another goal for Iran, but it was ruled out for a handball.
Iran who are placed 21st in the latest FIFA ranking had previously lost 2-1 to Russia in another International match played last week.
Tanzania also used the match to prepare ahead of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 slated for December 21 to January 18, 2026.
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