Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Joseph Put was impressed with the way his charges reacted to what he described as a childish performance in the first half of the 2-2 stalemate against South Africa in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Cranes did not only trail 1-0 thanks to Burnley’s Lyle Foster’s 14th-minute goal at halftime but also offered too much respect to the hosts at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Friday evening.
“I think we were very lucky in the first half because we weren’t in the game. We were nowhere, and I didn’t recognize my players,” Put said during the post-match press briefing before adding.
“They were playing like children. We had too much respect for South Africa, and we were lucky to concede only one goal. During the mid-game talks, I told them we needed to do it another way, and I wanted to see the real Uganda as we played against Botswana and Algeria in the World Cup qualifiers.”
“I think in the second half we saw a much better team, exhibiting and with more mentality and also we scored by distance shots but it’s also football,” Put added.
After a poor display in the first half, the Pearl of Africa responded at the restart by scoring twice in quick succession through Denis Omedi and Roger Mato in the 51st and 53rd minute, respectively.
“In the beginning, if you came to South Africa and managed a draw, you’d be happy, but now it’s a tough feeling because, with one or two minutes to go, we conceded again; otherwise, we would have three points,” the Belgian tactician noted.
The CECAFA giants conceded the equalizer in the fifth minute of the six added on courtesy of Orlando Pirates’ Thalente Mbatha’s strike.
“I am not saying that it was the right result, but you know, in football, sometimes it’s not the best team that wins. For the second half, I am very proud of my players because they showed that we are a football team.”
“The point that we have won in South Africa, we can always celebrate it if we get a good result at home against Congo, so let’s see if we can perform well against Congo because it’s still a long journey to go,” he stressed.
Uganda will return home on Saturday to prepare for their next game against Congo Brazzaville at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole on Monday, September 9.
Brazzaville lead proceedings in Group K with three points after edging South Sudan 1-0 at home on Friday through Massanga Matondo’s 12th-minute goal.
The Cranes and the Bafana Bafana are joint second with one point apiece whereas South Sudan are rock bottom pointless and will host South Africa at Juba Stadium on Tuesday, September 10.
