Desabre disappointed with Senegal result but happy with team’s overall performance
Uganda 0-1 Senegal( Mane 15')
Uganda Cranes coach, Sebastien Desabre has said he is disappointed with the result in the last 16 game against Senegal on Friday evening.
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The East African representatives were ejected from this year’s African Nations Cup in the round of 16 after falling to Senegal, thanks to a Sadio Mane 15th minute strike that proved the difference between the two countries.
Speaking shortly after the game, the Cranes French tactician said the first 15 minutes of the game decided Uganda’s fate on the date.
“I regret we didn’t play well during the first fifteen minutes. I am also disappointed in the result because our objective was to win every game,” the French tactician who is handling his debut Afcon tournament since he begun his career as Uganda’s national team coach.
Positive
The game that had a physical first stanza saw Uganda booked three times against skipper Denis Onyango, Emma Okwi and Khalid Aucho but the boys later picked themselves up in the second stanza putting up a spirited fight in a bid to knock off the Lions of Teranga.
In the second half, Senegal almost doubled their lead when Mane was fouled in the 18-yard box by Onyango.
However, the Ugandan skipper showed he is Africa’s safest hands when he made a brilliant two-hand save to deny the UEFA Champions League winner a second goal.
Onyango has carried the Ugandan team onto his shoulders with a number of saves throughout the 2019 edition of the African Nations Cup.
Giving an account of the entire tournament, Desabre said he was happy with the team’s performance despite not having experience.
“We played four games and created a lot of chances. I am proud and positive of my players. May be we lacked experience in the last game against Senegal but we played well. I am proud with what my team has achieved.”
Uganda played at the round of 16 for the first time in 41 years after qualifying as the second best in Group A, below hosts Egypt.
The 2019 edition was the East African side’s 7th appearance at the continent’s most prestigious football tournament.
