Mali came twice from behind to draw 2-2 against Uganda Cranes in an explosive Group D maplayed at the Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu.

The 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 equalizer that restored parity at 1-1.

In the 31st minute 32’ 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 equalizer 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 m Mamadou Coulibaly replaced Abdoulaye Diarra .

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

In another Group D game earlier, Zambia edged neighbours Zimbabwe 1-0 in their opening encounter yesterday evening at the Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu District.

Zambia’s lone goal was scored by veteran Isaac Chansa, after he volleying home a great effort past Zimbabwean goalkeeper Bernard Donovan into the far right corner to hand George Lwandamina’s side a much deserved lead in the 53rd minute.

Zambia is on top of Group D with 3 points followed by Mali and Uganda with 1 point each. Zimbabwe is at the bottom with no point.