Last November, a Uganda Cranes side with so much potential failed to progress to the 2015 Africa Nations Cup finals after losing 2-0 to Guinea in the Moroccan city of Casablanca, the same fate has befallen the Uganda National beach soccer team-the Sand Cranes who bowed out of the Africa Beach soccer Championship qualifiers.
The Sand Cranes who crossed the borders for their first ever match on foreign soil against Zanzibar about four months ago, knew that the game against Ghana over two legs would be a learning lesson.
The 21-8 was the final aggregate score in favor of Ghana with the return leg ending 12-2 in Accra.
Baker Lukooya(2), Roch Somoka, Hamimu Semakula, Derrick Tekwo and Brian Nkuubi scored Uganda’s goals in the first leg played at Sports Beach, Entebbe a fortnight ago.
The massive effort and 22-8 aggregate result has made a strong case for a so called lesser known sport. There are already hints of a qualification reward for the players to encourage other emerging sports.
Ghana now qualify for the finals of the Continental championship in Seychelles next month.
The Sand Cranes return today aboard Rwanda Air.