Uganda, Tanzania falter in FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers

The Taifa Stars of Tanzania and Uganda have faltered in the on-going FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers

Going into the matches today Tanzania topped Group J, while the Uganda Cranes team was second in Group E with two points behind Mali.

However, Tanzania suffered a 3-0 defeat to visiting DR Congo at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, while hosts Uganda Cranes needed a late goal to settle for 1-1 against arch-rivals Kenya.

Tanzania v DR Congo

Although the Taifa Stars team started well with Simon Msuva’s shot missing the target by inches after 3 minutes, the DR Congo team took command of the match.

Gael Kakuta gave the DR Congo the lead after 6 minutes against the run of play. He placed the ball past Tanzania’s goalkeeper Aishi Manula.

After 66 minutes Idumba Fasika made it 2-0 for DR Congo with a well taken volley inside the box after a corner kick.

Later substitute John Bocco had his header saved by DR Congo goalkeeper Joel Kiassumbua from close range after 78 minutes. But Ben Malongo made it 3-0 for DR Congo with a well taken header after 85 minutes.

The win sends DR Congo to second place with 8 points, while Benin who won 2-0 against Madagascar are top with 10 points.

Uganda Vs Kenya

Uganda Cranes also needed a win against Kenya to stay in contention for a play in the next stage. After a goalless first half, the Kenyan team continued to dominate play.

Skipper Micheal Olunga Ogada put Kenya in the lead after 61 minutes with a well timed header past the Uganda Cranes goalkeeper Charles Lukwago.

But a late blunder by Kenyan goalkeeper Brian Bwire Okoth after 90 minutes gave striker Fahad Bayo chance to make it 1-1 with a tap-in.

“ I am disappointed with the result today,” said Uganda Cranes coach Milutin’ Micho’ Sredojevic.Mali have secured a place in the final stage of the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers

Rwanda V Mali

After Uganda and Kenya settling for a draw, table leaders Mali sealed their place in the next round of the qualifiers after picking a 3-0 win away to 10-man Rwanda.

Rwanda were reduced by a player after only eight minutes when Djihad Bizimana was sent-off.

After 19 minutes Moussa Djenepo put the Les Aigles Mali in front, before Ibrahima Kone made it 2-0 after one minute at the Nyamirambo Stadium in Kigali.

Ernest Sugira who was leading Rwanda’s attack failed to break the Malian defence. In the second half Rwanda defended better than the first half, but still conceded a third goal after 88 minutes through Kalifa Coulibaly.

Ethiopia v Ghana

In a Group G match played at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, Andre Ayew gave Ghana the lead against Ethiopia, but Getaneh Kebede leveled matters after 72 minutes.

Ethiopia are third in Group G with 4 points, while South Africa were to face Zimbabwe later lead with 10 points and a better goal difference than Ghana who also have the same number of points.

On Friday two other teams from the CECAFA region Djibouti and Sudan will also be in action. Djibouti who are yet to pick a point will face African reigning champions Algeria, while Sudan face Morocco in a Group I encounter.