Uganda and Zimbabwe played to a 1-1 all draw in the second match of group A of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
In an attack mind game, group A leaders came into this game knowing that a win would secure their qualification to the knockout stages. Desabre’s side illustrated their newfound staying power a few minutes into the game.
Forward, Emmanuel Okwi tapped in an easy goal after picking up a rebound to put the East African based side 1-0 ahead in the 12th minute of the game.
Appropriately Zimbabwe who came into this match expecting to win their first match of the tournament looked sloppy in the first minutes of the game and only stabilized after Uganda had scored.
The Warriors bounced back to level matters 40 minutes into the game after Ovidy Karuru teed up Khama Billiat to find the bottom right corner.
Zimbabwe target- man Knowledge Musona could have breached the Uganda rearguard in the wee hours of the game when he latched on to a precise pass on the edge of the box but he kicked the ball well wide of the right post.
The draw means that Uganda remains top of group A with four points in two games. Only one point ahead of Egypt who has a game in hand.
Zimbabwe has now conceded first in each of their last five AFCON matches at the finals, yielding a paltry return of two draw and three losses.
Meanwhile, a point against Egypt in their final game would be enough for the Cranes to secure qualification to the knock out stages of this tournament.
By John Dalton Kigozi
