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RUBAVU. — Mali came from behind twice to hold Uganda Cranes to a 2-2 draw in an explosive Group D match at the Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu last night, just the right result that the Warriors — who earlier lost to Zambia — had been praying for.

This means that the Zambians lead Group D with three points, Mali and Uganda have a point each while Zimbabwe are yet to get off the mark but, with two games still to be played, there is still everything to play for in the Group of Death.

In fact, if the truth be told, the Warriors didn’t deserve to lose their match against Chipolopolo with Edmore Chirambadare missing two great chances that could have changed the match.

The second match started like a house on fire with both sides looking for an early goal and it was an ideal start for Uganda Cranes who broke the deadlock in the 12th minute when Erisa Ssekisambu rose high to flick a beautiful header past a hapless Mali keeper Djigui Diara from a sublime Farouk Miya free kick handing Cranes a deserved 1-0 lead .

The goal did not dampen the spirit of the Mali players who quickly regrouped to mount a serious challenge that paid off handsomely in the 24th minute when Mali’s under 17 star player Sekou Koita unleashed a left foot rocket that caught Uganda Cranes keeper Ismail Watenga napping for a well-deserved equaliser that restored parity at 1-1.

In the 31st minute Uganda midfielder Keziron Kizito unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box which was pushed away by Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra in another fantastic save as the tempo of the game continued to build up.

Mali did not rest on their laurels in the 38th minute winger Abdoulaye Traore beat his marker on the left hand side playing a dangerous cross in the Ugandan box but keeper Ismail Watenga easily collected the ball.

Uganda Cranes got back the lead in the 41st minutes after pilling pressure on Mali goal scorer Erisa Sekisambu was brought down inside the box forcing the referee to point to the penalty spot awarding Uganda Cranses a penalty that was beautiful struck by captain Farouk Miya as Uganda Cranes went to the break leading 2-1. The lead barely lasted 15 minutes as Mali fired from all cylinders and their effort was rewarded in the 60th minute when Mamadou Collibaly played a sublime cross into the Uganda box as Hamidou Sinayoko wasted no time tapping in for the second goal and the much needed equaliser restoring parity at 2-2.

Both coaches effected changes with Micho forced to bring on reserve keeper Mathias Kigonya for injured Ismail Watenga in the 52nd and Muzamiru Mutyaba for injured captain Farouk Miya while Mali’s Mamadou Coulibaly replaced Abdoulaye Diarra .

After the two substitutions Uganda struggled to find their feet but managed to hold on to the end as both sides settled for a 2-2 draw in their Group B game.

Team Line-up

Uganda: Ismail Watenga (GK), Denis Okot, Joseph Ochaya, Bernard Muwanga, Richard Kasagga, Timothy Awany, Keziron Kizito, Sentongo, Ceaser Okhuti, Erisa Ssekisambu, Farouk Miya (capt)

Mali: Djigui Diarra, Abdoulaye Traore, Assoko Hamed Marius (Capt), Diarra Sekou, Yves Bissouma, Hamidou Sinayoko, Lassana Samake, Mousa Sissoko, Abdoulaye Diarra, Aboul Karim Dante, Sekou Koita

Group D Standing

P W D L F A Pts

Zambia 1 1 0 0 1 0 3

Mali 1 0 1 0 2 2 1

Uganda 1 0 1 0 2 2 1

ZIMBABWE 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 — Agencies.