Karisa Seals the Deal for Uganda Cranes
You can almost sense the relief and excitement in the air. On June 8, 2022, Uganda Cranes turned a tense AFCON qualifier night into a celebration, beating Niger by a single goal. And if anyone deserved to be in the spotlight, it was Geofrey Sserunjogi Karisa. With just over 20 minutes left, Karisa took center stage, converting a perfect cross from Isaac Walusimbi into the only goal of the night. That finish? Flawless. His sense of timing and positioning didn’t just win the match, it set the mood for Cranes’ fans everywhere who have gotten used to Uganda having the upper hand in this historic fixture.
This win pushed Uganda’s unbeaten run against Niger to three straight games, and if you’re keeping track, that’s five wins in their last nine meetings now. Every one of those clashes has been tough, so this wasn’t just another three points—it was a message to the rest of Group D.
Breaking Down the Team's Performance
Let’s talk about how the team got there. In the back, Denis Onyango kept things cool and confident in goal. That save against Moussa Maazou in the 55th minute? Pure class. Uganda’s backline, with Joseph Ochaya and Murushid Juuko, kept Niger at bay with tough tackles and 12 crucial clearances from Ochaya. Juuko’s goal-line clearance in the first half probably kept the match from flipping the other way.
Right-back Isaac Walusimbi wasn’t just busy defending; he created the match-winning moment. Making 85% of his passes, Walusimbi found Karisa with a well-weighted ball that broke Niger’s defensive line. On the other side, Hasif Nassuna gave maximum effort on the flank even if his position slipped once or twice.
Midfield held steady with Abdallah Kibidi in control, keeping an 88% passing record and stopping Niger’s pushes more than once. Kakooza Murushid worked hard but couldn’t make things click in the final third. Abdallah Mucunguzi gave fans hope every time he made a run or whipped in a cross from the left.
If you want to talk about leadership, look no further than Khalid Aucho. The captain stepped up with powerful tackles and tight distribution, completing 92% of his passes as if pressure didn’t exist. Up front, Emmanuel Okwi linked play but couldn’t grab his goal, while Karisa, who earned the highest rating of the night at 8.5/10, kept Niger’s defense busy with dangerous runs. Uganda Cranes needed a hero, and Karisa didn’t disappoint.
The bench added fresh legs, with Robert Ssentongo helping keep things tight after coming on. Joseph Wabwire also helped close out the game when the pressure was on.
In the final few minutes, Uganda held its breath when Yacouba Harouna’s shot for Niger ricocheted off the post. A few centimeters the other way, and this story could’ve been about dropped points. Instead, Uganda’s defense stayed strong to bag those three points.
The win now puts Uganda second in Group D with seven points from four matches, the door to AFCON qualification still wide open. Coach Paul Put didn't hold back with his praise for Karisa, calling him one of the team’s most crucial players—something fans hardly needed reminding after that performance. Meanwhile, Niger’s hopes took another hit as they suffered their third straight defeat. As Uganda looks ahead to taking on Egypt next, the team and their supporters will know this victory meant more than just numbers in the table—it was a statement of intent.
