Two goals from Emmanuel Arnold Okwi and a penalty converted by Farouk Miya saw Uganda get a 3-0 win against Lesotho at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole. This put the cranes on top of group L with 7 points and 4 goals in 3 matches a head of a return leg with Lesotho on Tuesday at Setsoto stadium in Maseru, Lesotho in the 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Okwi scored the opener within 10 minutes of the game from Nicholas Wadada pass which saw the veteran striker smash the ball into the net with a left foot. Mohau Kuenane, the Crocodile's keeper had no chance to save the goal.

In the 35^th minute, Farouk Miya converted a penalty spot to give Cranes a 2-0 lead after Lesotho defender Basia Makepa fouled Cranes’ attacker Okwi.

In the 63^rd minute, Okwi struck another with a bullet header from a Lubega Edrissa cross which sealed the Cranes’ win against the South African side.

Sebastien Desabre’s team started with a high pressing game which saw them getting three corners and free kick in the first seven minutes of play.

In the 3^rd minute, Miya would have given Cranes a lead but his strike went over the post. Joseph Ochaya’s free kick in the 5^th minute was flicked over by Lesotho captain, Mafa Moremoholo and went out for a corner kick. Moses Waiswa's corner was also cleared by Tsepo Toloane.

In the 8^th minute, Cranes’ skipper Dennis Onyango missed the ball headed for goal, however Khalid Aucho was equal to the challenge to block the ball from entering the net from Sera Motebang.

The Likuena side had a corner kick but it was cleared by Hassan Wasswa Mawanda. In the 30^th minute, a Tumelo Khutlang short was saved by Onyango.

The Egyptian referee Amin Mohammed Omar added 1 minute into half time but the score remained 2-0.

In the beginning of second half, Okwi had a chance to add to his tally from Lubega Edrissa's cross but missed.

In the 53^rd and 74^th minutes, the South African side also had more clear chances from their striker Sera Motebang and midfielder Hlomoho Kalake but Onyango was always alert to save the ball.

Uganda made her first substitution in the 58^th minute when Ibrahim Sadam Juma came on for Joseph Ochaya although he had less impact in the game, especially going forward. Isaac Muleme came on for tired Moses Waisswa and Patrick Kaddu replaced Edrissa Lubega.  Little change could however be seen from the replacements.

The win leaves Desabre's side as favorites to lead group L, with games at hand against Lesotho and Cape Verde to qualify for African Cup of Nations 2019 in Cameroon.