Uganda will look to build on their positive start to Group E in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers when they host Mali in Kampala on Monday afternoon.The match will be staged at the St Mary’s Stadium Kitende, kick-off at 13h00 GMT.
The Cranes will hope to erase their 0-0 draw against Kenya in their first qualifying tie and a win is something they’ll target to move up to four points.
Uganda are placed third of the Group E standings with one point, while Mali are on top of the group with three points.
The match against the 1972 Africa Cup of Nations runners-up is set to be a crucial tie for Uganda as they want to claim the top spot of Group E.
Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic, the Uganda coach, has expressed the readiness to face Mali in the match; “We shall respect Mali when they have the ball and disrespect them when we have the ball. The players have been given instructions and ready to fight for the national team.
The coach will be looking to experienced skipper Emmanuel Okwi and Khalid Aucho to lead the team to victory.
On the other hand, the Malians are under pressure to bag a win as they’ve been given the mandate of ensuring that they book a place in Qatar at all costs by the association and sports ministry of their country.
The Malians managed to grab maximum points in their opening match against Rwanda as they beat them 1-0 in match played at a neutral stadium away in Morocco.
Adama Traore, who turns for Turkish Super Lig side Hatayspor, scored the lone goal on the n the 19th minute with a beautiful finish after rounding off Rwanda goalkeeper Emery Mvuyekure before slotting the ball at the back of the net.
Mali coach Mohamed Magassouba has assembled a strong squad which consists of Amadou Haidara (RB Leipzig, Germany), Lassana Coulibaly (Salernitana, Italy), Aliou Dieng (Al Ahly, Egypt) and Hamari Traoré (Stade Rennais, France).
The Eagles must claim something from this clash in Kampala if they are to have any real hope of challenging for Qatar 2022.
Uganda and Mali have met in just four official matches according to FIFA statistics,with the West Africans claiming two wins with the other games ending in stalemate.
