Uganda Cranes captain Allan Okello believes there are plenty of positives to take from their 1-0 defeat to Tanzania in the CECAFA Tri-Nation Tournament, despite the setback in Karatu, Tanzania.
The regional tournament, hosted at the Black Rhino Academy Stadium, is serving as a preparatory platform ahead of the upcoming TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024. Tanzania struck early in the contest, with Idd Nado’s 14th-minute goal ultimately proving the difference.
Reflecting on the encounter, Okello expressed disappointment over the result but emphasized the team’s encouraging overall performance.
“It was a tough match,” Okello said. “We lost, yes, but we controlled large portions of the game—especially in the second half. The main area we struggled with was converting our opportunities. We created some decent chances, but we didn’t make them count.”
The KCCA FC midfielder stressed the importance of viewing the match through a developmental lens. “This is a preparatory tournament. It’s designed to help us identify and correct our mistakes before the main competition. We’ll keep pushing, and with more cohesion and sharper finishing, we’ll be ready.”
Co-head coach Morley Byekwaso echoed similar sentiments. He was candid about the team’s sluggish start but credited his players for their second-half improvement.
“We didn’t get it right in the first half. We gave Tanzania too much space and allowed their defenders to initiate attacks freely,” Byekwaso noted. “But after the break, we changed the approach. We pressed higher, disrupted their rhythm, and started to create chances of our own.”
Although the final result didn’t go Uganda’s way, Byekwaso remains optimistic about the squad’s trajectory.
“We’re learning with every match. The pressing and energy levels were encouraging in the second half. If we can improve our finishing and maintain our structure throughout the game, we’ll be much stronger in the next outing,” he said.
The Cranes will now turn their focus to their next test against CHAN defending champions Senegal on Thursday, with hopes of bouncing back and continuing to build momentum ahead of the continental showdown.
