Saturday, June 15
Ivory Coast 0-1 Uganda
(Abu Dhabi, UAE)

Uganda Cranes shocked Ivory Coast with a 1-0 hard fought victory in an international friendly game played at the Sheikh Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Farouk Miya converted from the spot in the 35th minute after Hassan Wasswa was pulled down during a corner.

Sebastien Desabre’s troops endured endless attacks from the Elephants but managed to hold on until the final whistle.

Jonathan Kodija came close to levelling matters in the second half but his header off left back Souleyman Doumbia’s lofty delivery went wide in the 53rd minute.

Cranes goalkeeper and captain Denis Onyango made sure that Uganda grabs the headlines when he saved late efforts from Wilfred Bony and Nicholas Pepe.

Desabre went for a 4-4-2 formation, with a lanky Bevis Mugabi at right back while Farouk Miya and Patrick Kaddu led the front – which paid off.

The victory will motivate the Cranes ahead of their AFCON campaign – in a tough group A that has Zimbabwe, DR Congo and hosts Egypt.

Uganda had drawn goalless against Turkmenistan as Ivory Coast had blasted Comoros 3-1, prior to the matchup.

This is Uganda’s first win over Ivory Coast on fourth attempt – Ivory coast won 3-0 in 2017 and 2-1 in 1965. The sides squared 2-2 in 1974.

This story is being updated

Uganda Cranes

Denis Onyango, Murushid Juuko, Hassan Wasswa, Godfrey Walusimbi, Bevis Mugabi, Khalid Aucho, Mike Azira, Emmanuel Okwi, Abdu Lumala, Henry Kaddu, Farouk Miya.

Ivory Coast XI

Sylvian Gbohouo, Serge Aurier, Ismeal Traore, Wifried Kanon, Doumbia Souleyman, Frank Kessie, Jean Gbamin, Jean Seri, Nicolas Pepe, Jonathan Kodjia and Max Gradel