Rogers Mato scored a late winning goal for Uganda Cranes to down Tanzania’s Taifa Stars 1-0 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam.
The win, Uganda’s first in Group F takes the Cranes level on four points with Taifa Stars in joint second behind already qualified Algeria while Niger is bottom with two.
In a fixture Uganda had to win, Mulitin Sredojevic made four changes and put up a more attack-minded eleven than he did in the first game four days in Ismailia when the Cranes lost 1-0.
But it was still the Taifa Stars that created better scoring opportunities until late in the game when Mato slotted home after receiving a beautiful through ball from substitute Farouk Miya
Jamal Salim had to be at his best to deny Simon Msuva in the opening exchanges and the defence on three occasions did well to stop him, Mbwana Samatta and Abdul Suleiman who was on fire through the game.
The Taifa Stars were then dealt a blow when left-back Mohamed Hussein and midfielder Himid Mao went off injured and Micho made more offensive changes.
Travis Mutyaba and later Miya and Steven Mukwala joined match-winner Mato from the bench and the Turkey-based midfielder with his first involvement set up the KCCA striker for the winner.
Uganda will resume the hunt for a qualification slot in June with a home game against Algeria before completing the campaign away to Niger.
How they lined up:
Uganda Cranes XI: Salim Jamal Magoola (GK), Kenneth Ssemakula, Abdu Aziz Kayondo, Halid Lwaliwa Timothy Awany, Khalid Aucho, Bobosi Byaruhanga (Miya 88’), Isma Mugulusi (Mukwala 88’), Richard Basangwa (Bayo 63’), Emmanuel Okwi (C) (Mato 63’), Joseph Ochaya (Mutyaba 76’)
Tanzania XI: Aishi Manula (GK), Mohamed Hussein (Luhende 72’), Novatus Miroshi, Ibrahim Abdallah Hamad, Job Dickson, Mzamiru Yasin (Salum 72’), Himid Mao Mkami (Kapombe 77’), Mudathir Yahya, Simon Msuva, Abdul Hamisi Suleiman, Mbwana Samatta (Khamis 89’)
