A late equalizer from Moses Waiswa earned Uganda a 1-1 draw with Kenya in an international friendly at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Thursday.
China-based striker Michael Olunga scored Kenya’s lone goal, but he was equally guilty of several missed opportunities.
Waiswa, making his first appearance for the Cranes, made the most of a defensive blunder from Aboud Omar to equalize with five minutes left.
“We dominated the match but it is sad we could not take our chances. I am pleased with the rest of the performance especially the new boys but we need to work on our finishing ahead of the next match against DR Congo on Sunday,” Harambee Stars coach Stanley Okumbi said.
His Uganda counterpart Milutin Sredojevic who fielded a squad comprised of hugely local based players was impressed with the result.
“Our ambition in this match was one, to give an opportunity to players who have never played before to show their worth and they have done that. I am impressed with the result of course because Kenya is a strong team and enjoyed very good transition play in the first half,” the Serbian nicknamed ‘Micho’ said after the game.
Olunga opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a low finish after going past Habib Kavuma from a counter attack launched by goalkeeper Patrick Matasi who was making his debut.
Uganda had a chance in the 16th minute when Geoffrey Sserunkuma saw his strong shot well picked up by Matasi after being put through by Muzamiru Mutyaba.
On the half-hour mark, Mutyaba tried his luck with a surprise shot from a distance hoping to catch Matasi off guard, but the effort went over the bar.
At the start of the second half, Uganda coach, Micho, pulled out Shafik Batambuze for Yasser Mugerwa.
Okumbi was called into a change as well, but a forced one after Musa Mohammed picked a thigh injury and Simon Mbugua was brought on in his place.
The Kenyans had another clear chance in the 58th minute but Noah Wafula fluffed it after picking a cutback from Olunga.
The visitors got the equalizer in the 85th minute when Waiswa took advantage of an error from Omar to chip the ball in from a tight angle.