Uganda suffered a miserable afternoon as they went down to a fired-up Ivory Coast side in the final game before both kick off their quests at African Cup of Nations in Gabon.
Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic side-watched his men beaten 3-0 in Abu Dhabi’s New York University Stadium in the second half.
Aston Villa striker Jonathan Kodjia opened the scoring in 51st minute heading past Uganda second choice goalkeeper Robert Odongkara, off a brilliant right flank pass from PSG defender Serge Aurier.
England-turned Ivorian star Wilfred Zaha also got the best of the shaky Ugandan defence with a brilliant run on the right to send a low shot past Odongkara just four minutes after Kodjia had scored before Serge Aurier extended his side’s lead with a powerful header in 72nd minute.
It was damage limitation for Uganda who on Friday depart the United Arab Emirates to Libreville, Gabon to make a return to Africa’s biggest sporting showpiece after a 39-year absence.
Here’s three things we learned:
Gulf in class
Uganda recorded a famous 3-1 victory over Slovakia on Sunday. But two days later, it’s alarming to see the gulf between Uganda and Ivory Coast. Despondently, the scoreline was even worse than the 2-0 drubbing by Tunisia last week.
#Amistoso 🇨🇮 v 🇺🇬 [ST 2-0] Jonathan Kodjia, de cabeza, anotó el 1-0 de #CostaDeMarfil frente a #Uganda pic.twitter.com/1AFhjL7nCc
— Camino a Rusia (@caminoarusia) January 11, 2017
No pace for Uganda
There is a real lack of pace in the Uganda side. It is the end of the season and Micho’s men were up against world class opponents but they just couldn’t keep up with Elephants when it came to speed or power.
#Amistoso 🇨🇮 v 🇺🇬 [ST 2-0] Wilfried Zaha tuvo su estreno en la red como jugador de #CostaDeMarfil y puso el 2-0 ante #Uganda pic.twitter.com/wOMlgHUEo4
— Camino a Rusia (@caminoarusia) January 11, 2017
#Amistoso 🇨🇮 v 🇺🇬 [ST 3-0] Potente cabezazo de Serge Aurier para establecer el 3-0 de #CostaDeMarfil ante #Uganda pic.twitter.com/wvyRrhT0p6
— Camino a Rusia (@caminoarusia) January 11, 2017
Nations Cup worry
It’s only two days until Uganda Cranes’ Afcon campaign kicks off and there will need to be a big improvement on this display and last week’s against Tunisia. So many misplaced passes from Cranes players, poor defensive lines and as expected, historical captain Geoffrey Massa’s performances are not good enough.
Uganda Cranes XI: Onyango, Iguma, Awany, Wasswa, Ochaya, Mawejje, Kizito, Azira, Luwagga, Miya, Massa
Ivory Coast XI: Gbohouo; Aurier, Bailly, Kanon, Traoré; Seri, Dié, Kessie; Kalou, Kodjia, Zaha
