Farouk Miya set up fellow substitute Rogers Mato’s goal in second half stoppage time to revive Uganda’s chances in 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying on Tuesday as the Cranes shocked Tanzania in Dar es Salaam. Both teams needed points but after a mostly uneventful match it was Uganda who rose to the occasion with the victory moving them level with Tanzania in second place on four points in Group F. Niger are two points back of both East African nations while Algeria are far out of reach in the top spot.
There was little to separate the sides in the first half. Tanzania looked the slightly more dangerous side in an opening forty-five minutes devoid of clear opportunities, with an early effort from the right side of the Ugandan penalty box dealt with easily by Cranes goalkeeper Jamal Salim.
Uganda came out with more inspiration in the second half as the level of the hosts decreased on a crucial occasion. Cranes head coach Micho Sredojevic brought in attacking substitutions to make the visitors more dangerous and Uganda finally made the breakthrough in the first minute of stoppage time for only their second goal of the qualifying campaign. Miya played a perfect pass from midfield into the path of the run of Mato and the KCCA FC forward made no mistake, placing his low finish under diving Taifa Stars keeper Aishi Manula for a timely strike.
Video of Mato’s match winner is below.
