Half strike handed Uganda a 1-0 win over Togo in the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualification second-round first leg game at the Stade de Kégué, in Lomé on Thursday evening.
Uganda attacked Togo from the first whistle in search of the opening goal. But they had to wait until five minutes before the halftime break.
The home tried to push had for the equalising goal in the second-half. However, Denis Onyango made good saves to ensure that his side emerged victorious on the day.
The Cranes made their intentions clear as early as the first minute when Tony Mawejje directed his bicycle kick wide of the target.
In the seventh minute, Joseph Ochaya tried to beat Togo goalkeeper Djehani Nguissan Yao from range, but the latter made a routine save from the attempt.
Togo attacking midfielder Floyd Ayite finally tested Uganda shot-stopper Denis Onyango from a well-taken corner in the 25th minute, forcing him into a decent save.
Uganda continued to attack in search of the opening goal. On the half-hour mark, Ochaya whipped the ball into the Togo box, and Abdoul-Gafar Mamah cleared.
Just five minutes before the break, the Cranes broke the deadlock through Farouk Miya, who scored with a brilliant free-kick.
This was Uganda’s first ever goal against Togo in a competitive match. The Cranes had to hold onto their lead and record their first ever competitive win over the Sparrow Hawks.
The home side were awarded a penalty nine minutes into the second-half. However, Onyango brilliantly denied Mathieu Dossevi from the spot-kick.
Farouk Miya was unfortunate not to double Uganda’s lead after receiving a pass on the edge of the Togo box four minutes after the hour-mark.
The quick winger then unleashed a powerful low shot which beat Djehani, but it struck the upright and the ball was cleared by the Togo defence.
In 74th minute, Onyango pulled off a fantastic save to deny Togo striker Lalawele Atakora from close range as the home side looked to equalise.
At the other end, Mawejje fired a rocket with 11 minutes left on the clock, but Togo goal-minder Djehani made a great save.
Uganda managed to hold onto their lead in the remaining minutes and emerged 1-0 winners on the day.
The second-leg will be played at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Kampala on Sunday, 15th November.
Togo 0
Uganda 1 (Miya 40′).