Ugandan players were involved in the second round of the CAF Champions League preliminary round on Saturday.
Uganda Cranes captain Khalid Aucho, midfielder Taddeo Lwanga and former Cranes goalkeeper Denis Onyango were in action.
Aucho’s Young Africans edged Ethiopia Nigd Bank 1-0 on the road to take the first-leg advantage.
Yanga scored through Zimbabwean Prince Dube in the 45th minute and his goal was all that mattered on the day.
Aucho played full-time, and in the aftermath of the game, he was quick to acknowledge that it was a tough outing.
“Tough one away from home but Alhamdulillah for the win. See you again, Wanaichi, in Tanzania, and thanks for the support,” he posted on his X handle on Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, Lwanga was subbed off in the second half as his side drew 1-1 with Egyptian side Pyramids at Stade Amahoro Stadium.
The visitors conceded an own goal by Mohamed Chibi in the 50th minute before former Yanga striker Fiston Mayele equalised in the 83rd minute.
“We take a point to Egypt,” Lwanga reacted on X after the game.
In addition, Onyango was an unused substitute in Mamelodi Sundowns’ comfortable 4-0 victory away to Mbabane Swallows in Eswatini.
Onyango missed out on the opportunity to play following the return of South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams from injury.
Brazilian Lucas Ribeiro bagged a brace when he scored in the 3rd and 54th minutes while the other goals were netted by Mosa Lebusa and Iqraam Rayners in the 17th and 40th minute, respectively.
They will return to action on Saturday, September 21 with Aucho’s Yanga hosting Nigd, Lwanga’s APR away to Pyramids, and Onyango’s Mamelodi at home against Mbabane.
The above second legs will determine whether we shall have a Ugandan trio in the CAF Champions League group stages for the 2024/25 season or not.
