Uganda Coach hails team spirit in Senegal win
ARUSHA: UGANDA Head Coach Morley Byekwaso was full of praise for his team’s fighting spirit following a 2-1 win against Senegal in Pre-CHAN tournament at Karatu’s Black Rhino Sports Centre in Arusha, yesterday.
He made the reaction after the match, “I’m happy with the hunger my players showed on the pitch,” Byekwaso said after the match.
“We managed to win by pushing more in attack, but there’s still work to do, especially in closing down spaces. That’s something we’ll focus on before CHAN kicks off.”
Goals from defender Arnold Odong and second-half substitute Patrick Jonah Kakande handed Uganda a well-deserved win, marking a strong response following their 1-0 defeat to hosts Tanzania on Monday.
Senegal pulled one back late through Moctar Serigne Koité, setting up a tense finish, but Uganda held firm to seal their first victory of the tournament.
The CECAFA three-nation tournament, featuring Uganda, Tanzania, and Senegal, is part of final preparations for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) set to begin on August 2 and run through to the end of the month.
After a goalless first half, the game came to life in the 64th minute when Odong capitalised on a defensive lapse to tap in a corner delivery.
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Just three minutes later, Kakande coolly converted a penalty after Senegalese goalkeeper Marc Philips Arona fouled striker Jude Ssemugabi in the box.
Senegal’s head coach Souleymane Diallo took the result in stride, focusing on the long-term benefits of the tournament.
“It’s a good opportunity for me to test my players and work on areas that require improvement, while also acclimatising with the weather,” he noted.
Senegal’s lone goal came late in the match as substitute Koité fired past Uganda’s substitute goalkeeper Chrispus Kusiima, but it proved too little too late.
The win serves as a confidence boost for Uganda ahead of their CHAN opener against Algeria on August 4 at the Mandela National Stadium in Namboole.
