Uganda Cranes overcame their away win jinx to beat Guinea Bissau 1-0 in the highly anticipated Saturday evening game at the Lino Correia stadium in Guinea Bissau.

Cranes skipper Denis Obua slotted home in the 35^th minute to give the visitors a lead they needed to top their group and set the ground for a historic appearance at Africa’s leading soccer show piece in 34 years.

Uganda Cranes celebrates

Uganda Coach Bobby Williamson started strongly with a striking force of Geoffrey Massa, David Obua and Geoffrey Serunkuma who combined well for most of the match.

Geoffrey Serunkume brought a good save from the Guinea Bissau goal-keeper in the 87^th minute when he combined well with Obua and delivered a hard shot.

Group mates Kenya had put Uganda on more pressure with a 2-1 win over Angola in the earlier game at Nyayo stadium in Nairobi, which brought them to four points, level with the Uganda Cranes before the Guinea Bissau Uganda Cranes match started.

But Uganda Cranes had Goalkeeper Denis Onyango to thank for the excellent result, as the custodian saved a penalty to make sure Uganda Cranes take maximum points from the game.

Cranes Captained Ibrahim Sekajja was judged to have fouled in the penalty box and the penalty was given only for Onyango to save.

Cranes Deputy coach, Moses Basena, said the win is a turning point for Uganda’s soccer potential as it puts the Uganda Cranes in charge of the group at 7 points, with Kenya and Angola at 4 points each.

Sekajja said while Uganda is happy to win away, the Uganda Cranes must remain focused and win the remaining three games to ensure top spot in the group and qualifications for the 2012 African Cup of Nations.