Kampala (Uganda), July 23 (IANS): Uganda Cranes have qualified for the next round of the 2018 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier after they beat visiting South Sudan 5-1.
After ending with a goalless draw in the first leg last week in Juba, hosts Uganda clinched the second-leg win on Saturday to qualify for the next round where they will face Amavubi of Rwanda. The two will compete in two legs in August to decide who can go through to the finals, reports Xinhua news agency.
The South Sudan defended in numbers from kick-off before the hosts took the lead after 33 minutes.
Derrick Nsibambi, playing his third full match for the national team, nodded the ball past South Sudan's goalkeeper Daniel Khamis Dak after a well taken cross by defender Nicholas Wadada.
Nsibambi, however, collided with the goalkeeper and needed medical attention before he was replaced by Paul Mucureezi.
The substitute made sure his impact was felt when he made it 2-0 after 44 minutes with a neat finish.
Uganda's goalkeeper Ismeal Watenga later punched James Saeed Moga's well taken shot.
In the second half, Mucureezi made it 3-0 after 46 minutes.
With the Uganda Cranes midfield well controlled by Muzamil Mutyaba running through the South Sudan team, the hosts made it 5-0 with Mucureezi again getting his name on the score sheet.
Daniel Boki Olivier netted a last-minute consolation goal for South Sudan, who had held Uganda to the goalless draw in the first leg in Juba last weekend.
"I am happy that the boys responded well and got the goals. It is always important to take the chances and now we wait to face Rwanda," said Uganda's coach Milutin Sredojevic.
South Sudan's coach Felix Bilal Kumuyange said his team had been outplayed.
"We started well, but failed to keep pace with the Ugandan team," said Kumuyange.