Uganda Cranes’ attempt to make it out of the group stages at the Total African Nations Championship (CHAN) for the first time hit a dead end when they lost 5-2 to Morocco on Tuesday. 26th. January. 2021 at the Stade de la Reunification, Douala, Cameroon.

The Cranes started strongly, looking for an early which actually came in the 25th minute, scoring through Ibrahim Orit but in the late stages of the first half they gave in to the pressure from Morocco who leveled terms in the 45 + 4 minute through a Ayoub El Kaabi heavily contested penalty.

The first half ended in favor in Morocco in terms of possession and attack on goal. The North Africans had 14 shots on goal with 3 on target and 4 corner kick against Uganda’s 4 shots on goal with 3 on target and no corner kick.

After the break, Morocco shortly doubled their lead through Soufiane Rahimi in the 51st minute throwing the Cranes in early miserly.

As the Cranes struggled to get back into the game, Moroccans capitalized on Denis Iguma’s defensive error to score their third goal through Hamza El Moussaoui in the 71st minute and later the fourth through Soufiane Rahimi in the 80th minute.

Saidi Kyeyune stood out again with another wonder but his 84th strike was too late to instigate a Cranes’ comeback.

In the 90+2 minute, the Cranes’ miserable night was climaxed with a Charles Lukwago own goal.

The Cranes opened the tournament with a goalless draw against Rwanda which was followed by a 2-1 loss to Togo but the 5-2 defeat to Morocco is the heaviest Cranes’ loss at CHAN in five tournament outings.

This was the second time Uganda and Morocco were meeting in CHAN. In 2014 in South Africa, the Cranes lost 3-1 to the Atlas Lions.

The Cranes’ campaign poor start came to a very disappointing end just like it was the case in the last edition in 2018 in Morocco where the Cranes drew one game and lost 2 games.

In Morocco, Uganda under Coach Sebastien Desabre was pooled in Group B alongside Cote D’Ivoire, Zambia and Namibia. They drew 0-0 with Cote D’Ivoire, lost 3-1 and 1-0 to Zambia and Namibia respectively.

Uganda Cranes Starting XI: Charles Lukwago (GK), Denis Iguma , Aziz Kayondo, Halid Lwaliwa (C), Mustafa Mujjuzi (Ojera Joackiam), Shafik Kagimu, Saidi Kyeyune, Bright Anukani (Abdul Watambala), Ibrahim Orit, Viane Ssekajugo, and Brian Aheebwa (Muhammad Shaban).

Unused Subs: Tom Ikara ‏(GK), Hassan Muhamood, Eric Ssenjobe, Tonny Mawejje, Paul Willa, Joel Mutakubwa, Legason Nafiani Alionzi, (GK), Bobosi Byaruhanga, Paul Mbowa.

Story by Joseph Mary Ssempiira.