With this result, the Ugandans provisionally add three points, the same as the defending champions, who take the lead of the group, second to Egypt in second position with only one point and Madagascar in last with no points.

Moreover, the next matchday will be decisive for the Ugandans, who need only to win their next encounter if they are to stamp their ticket to the semi-finals.

With only 24 hours to regenerate after yesterday’s matches, both Madagascar and Egypt had to win as they were beaten 4 (4)-3 (3) and 10-1 in their opening games respectively. However, only one team should be victorious due to the rules of the sport.

After the remarkable performance against Egypt, the Barea of Madagascar knew how to manage the effort on the field saving energies, but without leaving their credits in others’ hands. Even with the defensive curtain set up by Uganda’s Sand Cranes, Madagascar managed to pierce the ball with a missile strike from goalkeeper Jacques Raharison, putting his team ahead.

The first period went into halftime with Madagascar holding a slim lead. At the start of the second period, Fofo Alexandre, the Malagasy midfielder, scored a second goal for Barea.

Emboldened by the result, the team coached by 2015 champion Solofo Tsiavahana Ramarolahy of Madagascar again extended the score to 3-1. A result that elated and relaxed the islanders as the Ugandans would come from the ashes and turn the result to 6-3 in their favor.

With the game in full control, Uganda’s Samson Kiirya’s goals became an impenetrable concrete wall.

Meanwhile, Uganda are back in action tomorrow, this time against Egypt at 2.00pm (local time), where they will be looking to pick up the three points they need to reach the semi-finals. Madagascar, with a slim chance of claiming the title, will do battle with defending champions Senegal at 3.30pm (local time).

In Group A, Malawi will host their Moroccan counterparts in what will be the first match of the second round for this three-team group after the withdrawal of Nigeria.

What they said

Angelo Schirinzi, Uganda coach

“We knew that against Senegal we would not have any chance of winning so we focused our attention on the games against Madagascar and Egypt. I have been with this team for a fortnight and in South Africa we had a great tournament that allowed us to see what level we are at. We also knew that Madagascar is an opponent that would be within our reach. We will rest now with tomorrow’s game against Egypt in mind.

Solofo Tsiavahana Ramarolahy, Madagascar coach

“Tactically we weren’t good on the pitch and the players didn’t know how to interpret our philosophy of play, for one thing, for another the temperature didn’t help. It was quite hot and that affected the players’ performance on the pitch. It is true that we came to this championship with seven players who were champions in 2015, unfortunately things did not turn out to our satisfaction. We can only reserve our strength for the last game against Senegal”.