Kizito Luwagga and Khalid Aucho both netted as Uganda overcame Botswana 2-1 in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on Saturday afternoon.

The Group D encounter was played at the Francistown Sports Complex in Francistown, Botswana.

The Cranes of Uganda moved to the top of Group D standings following their victory, while Botswana's Zebras stayed position three.

It took only nine minutes for Kizito Luwagga to put the Cranes of Uganda into the lead when he beat Botswana goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe from close range.

The Zebras had a chance to equalize from a set-piece in the 12th minute, but Mogakolodi Ngele's attempt from the free-kick was easily saved by Denis Onyango in Uganda goal.

Five minutes later, Farouk Miya received the ball on the edge of the Botswana box and he volleyed the ball over the crossbar without troubling Dambe in goal.

The visitors were making good runs behind Botswana defence looking for more goals. But most of the times the Cranes attackers were ruled offside by the South African referee Victor Gomes.

Galabgwe Moyana should have restored parity two minutes before the half-time break, but the Botswana winger's effort was well gathered by Uganda shot-stopper Onyango.

Botswana did find the equalizing goal just five minutes into the second-half when Onkabetse Makgantai beat Cranes shot-stopper Onyango with a low finish.

However, Khalid Aucho had other ideas as the Cranes midfielder ran onto a long ball into the Botswana box and he fired past a hapless Dambe to make it 2-1 to the visitors.

The Zebras launched several late attacks in search of another equalizing goal. However, Joel Mogorosi and his fellow Botswana attackers were indecisive in the final third.

In the end, the Cranes held onto their slender lead in the dying minutes despite the Zebras' late attacks and the East African side won 2-1.


Botswana (0) 1 (Makgantai 50')
Uganda (1) 2 (Luwagga 9', Aucho 53')

Botswana XI: Dambe, Gadibolae, Mafoko, Sosome, Ramoroka, Nato (Galenamotlhale 36'), Ditsele, Seakanyeng (Makgantai 46'), Moyana, Mogorosi, Ngele (Tshireletso 73')

Uganda XI: Onyango, Guma, Ochaya, Isinde, Junko, Wasswa, Khalid, Mawejje, Miya (Wasimbi 65'), Luwagga (Mugerwa 89'), Massa (Okwi 70')

Botswana will be eyeing a victory over Uganda in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the Francistown Sports Complex in Francistown on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 16h00.

The Zebras overcame a motivated Comoros side 2-1 at home in their previous AFCON Group D qualifier encounter.

Galabgwe Moyana equalized for the Zebras three minutes after the restart, while Joel Mogorosi sealed the home side's win in the 87th minute.

Botswana are placed third on Group D standings with six points. They are only one point behind leaders Burkina Faso with two games left.

Mogorosi will be hoping to continue his good scoring form for Peter Butler's side. He has netted two goals in the 2017 AFCON qualifying campaign.

Meanwhile, Uganda will be hoping to climb to the top of Group D standings with a victory over Botswana on Saturday afternoon.

The Cranes played to a goalless stalemate with Burkina Faso at home in their previous Group D qualifier encounter.

Uganda are placed second on the group standings with seven points. They are only behind leaders Burkina Faso on head-to-head.

Geoffrey Massa is expected to lead the Cranes' attack on Saturday. The striker netted for Milutin Sredojevic's side against Botswana last year.

South African referee Victor Gomes will be in charge of the 2017 Group D qualifier between Botswana and Uganda.