For the first time since 1978, Uganda will play at the finals of Africa Nations Cup thanks to Farouk Miya lone goal in group D of 2017 AFCON qualifiers against Comoros.Needing victory to confirm qualification, The Cranes started well pinning the visitors in their own half but without penetration.
In fact, it was the visitors that tested goalie Denis Onyango first with a shot from Baker Djamel which the latter stopped easily.
Luwagga Kizito also had an attempt saved in the 12th minute while Joseph Ochaya hit the post in the 27th minute although the assistant referee had flagged for offside.
Geoffrey Massa also had an opportunity in the 31st minute but Ahamada Ali in Comoros goal made a brilliant save and the visitors defended well from the resultant corner.
Four minutes later, Miya broke the deadlock with a goal from close range to send the capacity crowd into frenzy.
First, he got at the end of a ball from over the top and with only the goalie to beat, he missed the chance but the ball fell directly to Moses Oloya who was nearly tripped in the area before he passed the ball to Miya who hit it first time and into the roof of the net.
The visitors nearly replied a minute later but Onyango was alert to parry the ball over the bar for a corner which the Cranes defended.
Fifteen minutes after the break, Micho introduced Emmanuel Okwi for an off colour William Luwagga Kizito in search for a killer but the game remained a sea saw for either side.
Okwi, Massa and Miya missed chances to make it 2-0 but still held on to the slim lead till the final whistle that was greeted by ecstatic reaction from the crowd.
Despite Burkina Faso’s 2-1 win over Botswana in the other group game, Uganda qualified as one of the best second placed sides.
Uganda XI: Denis Onyango (GK), Nicholas Wadada, Joseph Ochaya, Jjuuko Murushid, Isaac Isinde, Khalid Aucho, Tonny Mawejje, William Luwagga Kizito (Emmanuel Okwi), Moses Oloya (Godfrey Walusimbi), Farouk Miya and Geoffrey Massa (Hassan Wasswa Mawanda)
Unused Substitutes
Jamal Salim Magoola, Ivan Ntege, Yunus Sentamu, and Geoffrey Sserunkuma.
Comoros XI:
Ahamada Ali, Abdou Nadsim, Bachirou Fouad, Mohamed El Fardou, Youssouf M’Changama, Baker Djamel, Ahamadi Kombo, Youssuf Ben, Nasser Chamed and Youssouf Madi.
Substitutes
Ali Mzee Acoub, Mohamed Al Kane, Houmadi Cheika, Omar Mbaranza, Ali Mmadi, Clement Daoudoo.