Les Étalons of Burkina Faso clinched their ticket to the Africa Cup of Nations next January in Cameroon by holding off Uganda for a 0-0 result in Kampala. The draw means Burkina Faso remain a point ahead of Uganda and two ahead of Malawi as Group B leaders but only one of the two teams can overtake Les Étalons. Uganda will now have a nerve-wracking road match against Wednesday’s winners Malawi with a defeat meaning the Cranes would miss out of qualification.
The match was nervy throughout as Uganda struggled to show any urgency or consistent attacking identity under new manager Abdallah Mubiru. The visitors from Burkina Faso were more than content to keep the Cranes in front of them as Uganda tried hopeful efforts from distance. Burkinabé goalkeeper Hervé Koffi was threatened a bit by set pieces in the first half but the 24-year-old Belgium-based custodian dealt well with any trouble. Charles Kabore provided Les Étalons with their best chance before the break when he fired a perfectly-struck shot just over Denis Onyango’s goal from outside the penalty area.
Things spiced up a bit in the second half. A three-minute spell starting in the 69th minute had Burkina Faso scrambling. The presure culminated with Uganda left-back Joseph Ochaya having a golden opportunity when a cross fell to him. Ochaya smashed an effort from a tight angle right at Koffi, forcing the keeper to push the effort right back at the TP Mazembe defender but Ochaya was unable to turn it in under duress. Despite the increase in attacking industry Uganda did not have it in them to find a winner and Les Étalons got the result they needed.
Check out highlights from the match below.
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