The Uganda Cranes missed a chance to book their second ever win at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2022 as Milutin Sredojevic's troops produced a less goal threatening display in thier 0-0 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo ( D.R.C) on Saturday. 14th. January. 2023 at the  Stade 19th May 1956, Annaba, Algeria.

The Cranes would have loved to start this edition's campaign with a victory to brighten their chances of making it out of the group stages for the first time ever, but they rarely troubled a determined D.R.C team.

The Cranes lacked the urgency in the final third and were booed off at full-time.

Showing no signs of being intimidated by the Congolese, the Cranes went on and dominated possession from the opening moments of the game however, they only managed one shot on target.

Midway into the first half of the game, Uganda Cranes Skipper Milton Karisa found the back of the net but his goal was cancelled for a foul committed on the Congolese player in the penalty area before he fired home.

Moments later, Moses Waiswa also put his close range free kick effort inches over the bar.

In the second half, the Cranes saw some early changes with the introduction of
Titus Ssematimba and Ibrahim Orit for Abdul Karim Watambala and Rogers Mato respectively and later on in the late stages; Travis Mutyaba, Nelson Ssenkatuka and Kenneth Semakula took up the slots that had been occupied Karisa, Frank Ssebufu and Waiswa respectively.

The Cranes remained stuck in first gear untill the very last bits of the game when Gift Fred nearly snatched a winner but his run-off header off a Geoffrey Wasswa free kick delivery hit the up-right.

Uganda's biggest ambition at this year's CHAN Championship is to make it out of the group stages and the positives from this opening result is that, the Cranes are still in control of their own destiny with the coming two fixtures against Senegal on Wednesday.18th. January and Ivory Coast on Sunday. 22. January. 2023, the other teams in the group.

A minimum of another draw and a win would ensure Uganda progress to the knockout stages.

Uganda Cranes Starting XI:

Nafian Alionzi (GK), James Begisa, Derrick Ndahiro, Gift Fred, Geofrey Wasswa, Marvin Youngman, Abdu Karim Watambala, Moses Waiswa, Frank Ssebufu, Milton Karisa (C)

Used Subs:

Ibrahim Orit, Titus Ssematimba, Travis Mutyaba, Nelson Ssenkatuka, Kenneth Ssemakula

Unused Subs:

Jack Komakech (GK), Joel Mutakubwa (GK), Ashraf Mandela, Isa Mubiru, Kenneth Semakula, Hillary Mukundane, Bright Anukani, Moses Aliro

Story by Joseph Mary Ssempiira; Writer www.sportznow.ug