Reasons Why Uganda Cranes Lost Out On AFCON 2021 After a Slim 1:0 Loss to Malawi

The Flames of Malawi have won themselves a ticket to AFCON 2021 to take place in Cameroon after a resilient performance that led to a 1:0 victory over Uganda and hence qualified for a tournament that will be hosted by Cameroon in January 2022.

Richard Mbulu scored the only goal in the 15th minute that seperated the two sides to help his side qualify for the first time in more than ten years.

Malawi now joins Burkina Faso as the two sides from the group B. Burkina Faso confirmed their slot in the tournament finals with a barren draw against Uganda five days ago.

Uganda Cranes went into their last group match needing only a point to advance to the finals of the tournament but will have themselves to blame for losing to minor side South Sudan in November last year. Uganda lost 1:0 on 16th November,2020 with a 36th minute goal from a penalty taken by former Vipers SC strike Tito Okello.

Against Burkina Faso and Malawi, Uganda missed the services of Khalid Aucho after a punishment given to him for undermining protocols. To add salt to the wound, Tadeo Lwanga his replacement was also unnamed in the starting line up against Malawi having had his first COVID-19 results reading otherwise though it was later sorted and hence included on the bench.

The exit has also been partly attributed to the poor Performance by Abdul Lumala and Miya Farouq, the two have recently been match winners for Uganda Cranes, though Coach Abdullah Mubiru will also take the blame for his side's exit after managing only one point in two matches compared to Jonathan McKinstry's seven in four matches.