Arnold Vula could hardly have scripted a better introduction to international football.
Handed his first Uganda Cranes start, the forward scored the only goal as Uganda beat Libya 1-0 at Hoima City Stadium on Tuesday night to move top of Group H in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Vula rose above the Libyan defence in added time of the first half to head home Allan Okello’s free kick, settling a contest in which goalkeeper Denis Onyango was just as important at the opposite end.
The victory took Uganda to four points from their opening 2 qualifiers following last Thursday’s 1-1 draw away to Tunisia. Libya and Tunisia have two points apiece after drawing their respective opening matches.
An estimated 17,000 supporters turned up on a Tuesday night for the Cranes’ first match at Hoima City Stadium, underlining the national team’s pulling power outside Kampala.
The playing surface was less impressive, appearing uneven despite the stadium having not hosted competitive football since Kitara eliminated Mogadishu City from the CAF Confederation Cup earlier in September.
Paul Put made only one change from the side that started against Tunisia, bringing Vula in for Travis Mutyaba.
Kenneth Ssemakula, Tobby Sibbick and Rogers Torach formed the back 3, with Aziz Kayondo operating on the left and Nathan Asiimwe on the right.
Noble Okello and Baba Alhassan provided protection in midfield, while Allan Okello supported Vula and Rogers Mato further forward.
Asiimwe was particularly adventurous early on, repeatedly taking on his marker down the right as Uganda attempted to stretch Libya.
But the better opportunities initially belonged to the visitors.
Uganda survived a scare after 11 minutes when Torach failed to clear the danger, allowing Ezzedin Elmaremi through, but Onyango came off his line to make an important save.
The Cranes captain was required again midway through the half when Libya broke through Uganda’s defensive structure and threatened to take the lead.
Uganda gradually found their rhythm. Mato curled an effort narrowly wide before Okello and Asiimwe combined down the right, with the latter’s delivery failing to find a teammate.
Then came the breakthrough
Kayondo was fouled in the 45th minute in territory seemingly made for Okello’s left foot.
Okello delivered the resulting free kick into the penalty area and Vula rose highest to direct his header beyond the goalkeeper just before the break
Hoima erupted
For a stadium hosting the senior national team for the first time, the roar that greeted Vula’s goal provided a memorable conclusion to the opening half.
Libya returned determined to find a way back, but Uganda’s defensive structure made central penetration difficult.
Ssemakula, Sibbick and Torach remained compact, aided by the screening work of Noble Okello and Alhassan.
Libya coach Youssoupha Dabo responded by sacrificing defender Abdulmunem Aleiyan for forward Amjad Jummah in the 55th minute.
Put made his first change three minutes later and it brought another landmark moment, with Kelvin Owusu Boateng replacing Vula to make his Uganda debut.
Osama Mukhtar replaced Maruwan Alhibeeshi as Libya committed more numbers forward.
The pressure began to grow
Hamdou Elhouni found space on the left in the 72nd minute and appeared to have beaten Ssemakula before delivering a dangerous ball across Uganda’s defensive line, only for Torach to make a timely intervention.
Uganda’s biggest escape followed 3 minutes later. Fadel Hamad broke through and his pass eliminated the Cranes defence and Onyango, leaving Elmaremi with an inviting goal.
The Libyan somehow lifted his close-range effort over the crossbar, then stood in disbelief at an opportunity that should have brought the visitors level.
Put reacted by replacing Okello with Denis Omedi in the 77th minute, adding fresh legs as Uganda increasingly looked to attack on the transition.
Mato, who endured a quieter evening after scoring the equaliser against Tunisia, was replaced by Allan Oyirwoth with five minutes remaining.
Libya still had one final opportunity, with Mukhtar directing a late header at Onyango, but Uganda survived to secure their first victory of the campaign.
It was not Uganda’s most fluent performance, but Put’s side showed enough defensive discipline to protect the advantage once Vula had provided it.
That capacity crowd, a Cranes victory and a historic first international provided a night to remember inside the Hoima City Stadium.
Uganda XI: Denis Onyango, Nathan Asiimwe, Aziz Kayondo, Tobby Sibbick, Rogers Torach, Kenneth Ssemakula, Baba Alhassan, Noble Okello, Allan Okello, Rogers Mato, Arnold Vula.
Substitutes: Nicholas Ssebwato, David Lukwago, Travis Mutyaba, Jonathan Gift Odong, Steven Mukwala, Herbert Achai, Joseph Seremba, Allan Oyirwoth, Denis Omedi, James Bogere, Hillary Mukundane, Kelvin Owusu Boateng.