Uganda Cranes and The Gambia Scorpions played to a 1-1 draw in an international friendly match at the Stade de Marrakech Annexe pitch on Monday, June 9, 2025.
Rogers Kassim Mato gave Uganda Cranes the lead, but Manneh Alasana equalised for The Gambia with a well-taken penalty.
Both goals were scored in the first half, with Mato, who plays for Vardar Skopje in North Macedonia, heading in Patrick Jonah Kakande’s curling corner kick in the 25th minute.
The Gambia, led by former Uganda Cranes coach Jonathan McKinstry, put pressure on Uganda in the first half, nearly equalising with a powerful strike that hit the woodwork, leaving goalkeeper Isima Watenga out of position. Alasana capitalised on a penalty opportunity, confidently driving it past Watenga, who had dived to his left.
Following an unfortunate injury to Watenga, Joel Mutakubwa stepped in as goalkeeper just seven minutes into the second half. Uganda Cranes’ head coach, Joseph Paul Put, made several key substitutions strategically, bringing on defender Hilary Mukundane, Travis Mutyaba, Denis Omedi, Shafik Nana Kwikiriza, and later Enock Ssebagala to bolster the team’s efforts.
In the closing moments of the match, Uganda had promising chances to secure a win, but Omedi and Allan Oyirwoth were unable to convert, leaving the scoreline unsettled.
