体坛英语新闻：Mali hold Uganda Cranes in 2016 CHAN encounter

RUBAVU, Rwanda, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Mali and Uganda Cranes settled for a 2-2 draw in the 2016 Africa Nations Championship tie played at the Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu District, Rwanda on Tuesday.

The draw means Uganda and Mali are jointly second in Group D, while Chipolopolo of Zambia who beat Zimbabwe 1-0 in an earlier match top the group.

After 12 minutes, defender Jospeh Ochaya nodded in the first goal after a free kick taken by skipper Farouk Miya. The former Ghana based professional now playing for KCCA FC made no mistake brushing the ball past Mali's goalkeeper Djigui Diara.

The Malians showed more hunger for goals after conceding with Diarra Sekou and Moussa Sissoko causing problems to the Ugandan defenders.

Sekou Koita leveled matters for Mali after 24 minutes with a well taken ground shot that rested at the corner of the goal.

Only after 10 minutes, Uganda should have made it 2-1 but Keziron Kizito's hard long shot was well saved by Diara in goal.

Five minutes to half time, Ugandan skipper Miya converted a penalty after Erisa Ssekisambu had been pushed down in the box.

In the second half, Uganda Cranes replaced injured captain with Muzamir Mutyaba.

After 60 minutes, Hamidou Sinayoko leveled for Mali with a close finish past Uganda's substitute goalkeeper Mathias Kigonya.

"We did not defend well today and we need to go back to the drawing board ahead of our next game," said Uganda's coach Milutin Sredojevic.

The tournament will enter Day 5 on Wednesday with two Group A matches at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

Hosts Rwanda will take on Gabon, while Morocco battle Cote d'Ivoire. Rwanda lead the group with three points after their 1-0 win over Cote d'Ivoire in the first match.