Uganda recorded a 2-0 win over Niger at the Marrakesh Stadium in Morocco on Thursday, but they still fell short of qualification for the next Africa Cup of Nations.
The Cranes defeated the Menas thanks to first-half goals from Azizi Kayondo and Joseph Ochaya, but the result was only enough to claim third place on the Group F log, with Tanzania securing second thanks to their 0-0 draw away to table-toppers Algeria in a concurrent match in Annaba.
Uganda took control of the game from early on and claimed the lead as early as the 17th minute, with Azizi Kayondo getting on the end of an assist from Fahad Bayo and sending an effort beyond the reach of goalkeeper Naim Van Attenhoven for 1-0.
The Cranes kept up the pressure and were rewarded with a second goal in the 39th minute, as Milton Karisa teed up Joseph Ochaya to make it 2-0 and give the East African side full control of the match.
Uganda controlled the game in the second half, freshening up their attack with the introductions of Rogers Mato and Richard Basangwa in an effort to increase their advantage on the score board.
Yet further goal scoring opportunities were scarce, with the Cranes happy to sit on their 2-0 lead and hope that Algeria could do them a favour in the other Group F match.
Unfortunately for them, Tanzania held the North African giants to a goalless stalemate which rendered Uganda’s win academic, as they missed out on returning to the Nations Cup for the first time since 2019.
Niger 0
Uganda (2) 2 (Kayondo 17’, Ochaya 39’)
NIGER: Van Attenhoven, Yakubu (Djibo 59’), Alhassane, Diabate, B. Abdoulaye, Boueye, Goumey (Amoustapha 71’), Oumarou, Abubakar, Mohamed, Soumana
UGANDA: Magoola, Bwomono, Kayondo, Mugabi, Lwaliwa, Aucho, Byaruhanga, Karisa (Waiswa 83’), Miya (Mato 59’), Ochaya, Bayo (Basangwa 59’)