Uganda Cranes coach Jonathan Mckinstry remains positive after the team’s qualification chances despite painful loss to debutants Togo.
The Cranes fell 2-1 to Togo on Matchday two to fall rock bottom of Group C at the ongoing CHAN 2020.
Saidi Kyeyune scored a beauty but it was not enough on the night as goals from Paul Mbowa (own goal) and Yendoutie Nane saw Togo take maximum points.
“We have not gone out of the competition, if we beat Morocco, we will qualify to the knockout. Its very possible,” McKinstry said after the game.
“We played very well and created a lot of chances. It was tight in the first half and they (Togo) caused a lot of problems to us but we came out stronger in the second.”
Mckinstry said that they should not have conceded an own goal because of a foul in the build up to the corner which resulted into Mbowa deflecting into his own net. He stated: “I believe there was supposed to be a free kick prior to the corner.
In the other group game, Morocco were held to a goalless draw against Rwanda.
Uganda will need maximum points against Togo to qualify for the knockout for the first time.
He explained: “We have to pick ourselves up, Morocco is a side that can be beaten and I think Rwanda were quite unlucky not to pick three points against them.
“So we have to put ourselves back together knowing that any type of win will put us through to the knockout.
“We played a little bit better today (Friday), we moved the ball well but the only thing which was lacking is hitting the target.
“Our target is to go deep into the tournament, we have about two or three players who played in this tournament two years ago, so this is a new team.”
