Uganda Vs Niger: Statistically looking at Both Teams Form, Cranes and Le Mena The Ménas could Play for a Draw

Uganda Cranes will lock horns with Niger Le Mena The Mena on Wednesday June 8, 2022. According to Cranes Captain and his coach Micho, the two countries’ meeting in the 2023 Afcon qualifiers will mark the start to the team’s campaign even after an Algiers devastating opening encounter that left the Country at total astonishment last Saturday.

This stance, they claimed during a pre-match presser at FUFA House Mengo on today (Tuesday) morning. With Cranes falling to Algeria in their opening game of the campaign, a win is a must against the Niger if they must restore confidence and belief that they can qualify for the big continental soccer show.

The Wednesday game is only the third time the two nations clash in this modest competition with the last being on the 8^thSeptember 2007 where, Uganda saw off Niger 3-1 at Mandela national Stadium, Namboole exactly 15 years ago. “Our campaign starts on Wednesday against Niger at St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende. The players at the camp are aware of what is at stake. We did not play very well in Algeria. Tomorrow, we look forward to correcting that.” Captain, Emmanuel Okwi.

Nonetheless, as Cranes would love to correct what went wrong against Algeria, Niger on the other side also have a feeling of upgrading on their draw performances posted against Tanzania in the opener. Statistically, coming into this game, Niger claim a superior record in the history of this fixtures against the hosts. The West African nation boasts of three wins from the last six meetings between the sides.

Uganda have picked up two wins in that time, while the spoils have been shared once. With both teams seeking to pick up their first wins in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Uganda and Niger go head-to-head at the St Mary’s Stadium tomorrow with each side positive. The Cranes suffered a 2-0 defeat against Algeria in Saturday’s group opener, while the La Mena The Mena’s were held to a 1-1 draw by Tanzania on the same weekend.

The Cranes were denied a dream start to their AFCON qualifiers on Saturday. Uganda have now failed to win any of their last three competitive outings, claiming one draw and losing two since a 1-0 victory over Rwanda in the World Cup qualifiers back in October 2021. Niger, on the other hand, turned in a resilient performance on Saturday as they came from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw with Tanzania in their group opener last time out.

They are now unbeaten in all but one of their last five outings across all competitions, with a 2-1 friendly loss to Libya in March being the exception. Yet, Niger have failed to win any of their last three away games, losing twice and picking up one draw in that time. Off of Uganda Cranes verses Niger fixtures, their last six meetings Head-To-Head show that Niger boast of a superior record in the history, having won three wins from the last six meetings between the sides.

Uganda have picked up two wins in that time, while the spoils have been shared once. Uganda form guide shows L-L-W-L-W while that of Niger reads D-L-D-W-D. These results came off two African Nations qualifiers (08 Oct 2006 Niger verses Uganda 0-0 Africa Cup of Nations and 08 Sep 2007 Uganda v Niger 3-1 Africa Cup of Nations), two FIFA World Cup (31 May 2008 Uganda v Niger 1-0 FIFA World Cup and 07 Sep 2008 Niger v Uganda 3-1 FIFA World Cup) while the other two were international friendlies between the two sides (02 Sep 2014 Niger v Uganda 2-0 International Friendly and 02 Jun 2018 Niger v Uganda 2-1 International Friendly)

As they host Niger tomorrow, Uganda is coming off the back of an injury-free game against Algeria, heads into St. Mary’s Kitende Stadium with a clean bill of health and no suspension concerns. Niger’s head coach, Jean-Michel Cavalli could name an unchanged starting XI on Wednesday following their impressive opening-day display that picked up a draw. There are also no injured players or suspension concerns for Niger as well.

While Niger will be looking to carry on with the momentum from their opening-day performance, their next up being Uganda side is somewhat tricky though. Uganda enjoys a beautiful home record and are unbeaten in five consecutive home games. All possibilities and predictions however show that Niger will stop out the Cranes’ efforts and force a share of the loots.

Prediction:

Uganda 1-1 Niger

Probable lineups

(Uganda)

Charles Lukwago; Gavin Kizito, Halid Lwaliwa, Bevis Mugabi, Isaac Muleme, Khalid Aucho, Marvin Youngman, Emmanuel Okwi, Allan Okello, Farouk Miya, Milton Karisa

(Niger)

Naim Van Attenhoven, Ousmane Diabaté, Abdoul Garba, Karim Doudou, Abdel Rahim Alhassane; Youssouf Oumarou, Abdoul Moumouni, Victorien Adebayor, Amadou Wonkoye, Amadou Moutari, Daniel Sosah

(Fixture)

#TotalEnergiesAFCONQ2023

Date: Wednesday 8^th 2022

Uganda Cranes Vs Niger

Kick-off: 4:00pm

Venue: St. Mary’s Stadium Kitende