Burkina Faso 1-0 Uganda
Jonathan Pitroipa scored a second half penalty to condemn Uganda Cranes to the first defeat of the 2017 AFCON qualifiers.
The Cranes who went into the game on the back of two wins from as many games started on the back foot with Burkina Faso dictating play with Jonathan Pitroipa and Bertrand Traore all over.
But it was the Cranes that should have taken the lead but Luwagga Kizito’s hesitation to shoot after chest controlling a cross from Godfrey Walusimbi saw the hosts survive with a good clearance.
Moments later, Murushid Jjuuko gave away possession and the Stallions attack was foiled by his partner Isinde on the edge and the hosts rattled the cross bar from the resultant free kick before Aristide Bance headed wide with an open goal at his mercy.
Onyango then put his body on the line to deny the Chippa United man after a good through ball from Traore.
It was similar story after recess as the hosts dominated possession although the Cranes rearguard of Isinde, Ochaya, Jjuuko and Iguma thwarted whatever was thrown at them.
However, they were breached at the hour mark when Pitroipa was fallen in the area and the referee made no mistake but point to the spot.
Pitroipa dusted himself and sent goalie Onyango the wrong way for the goal that decided the tie.
Onyango was however at hand to deny Prejuce Nakoulma from doubling Paul Duarte’s side another goal after he was through on goal.
Micho reacted by introducing Emma Okwi for Godfrey Walusimbi, later Aucho made way for Hamis Kiiza and the Serb’s last throw of the dice was Moses Oloya for Luwagga.
The addition of numbers in attack nearly paid off as Uganda won a number of free kicks and corners in the opponents half but the closest they came to scoring was from midfielder Tony Mawejje who saw his effort from over 25 yards easily dealt with by the Stallions’ goalie.
In the last minute of additional time, Okwi was denied a penalty as he went down in the area under a challenge from the Burkinabe defender but referee waved play one.
The result puts Burkina Faso top of group D on six points same Uganda but courtesy of a better head to head standing.
The two nations face off in the return leg on Tuesday.
Uganda Cranes Lineup: Denis Onyango (GK), Denis Guma, Joseph Ochaya, Murushid Juuko, Isaac Isinde, Tony Mawejje, Aucho Khalid (Hamis Kiiza Diego), Kizito Luwagga (Moses Oloya), Miya Farouk, Massa Geoffrey (C), Godfrey Walusimbi (Emmanuel Okwi)
Unused Substitutes : Robert Ondogkara (GK), Mike Azira, Hassan Wasswa and Timothy Awany