Uganda Cranes produced a brilliant performance to beat Togo 3-0 and qualify to the 2018 World Cup group qualifying stage in a thrilling match played at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Cranes skipper Geoffrey Massa opened the scoring early in the game before a brace from Vipers SC star player Faruku Miya secured a memorable display.

Farouk Miya celebrates after scoring against Togo

Massa scored from a 20 yard thunderbolt that left Djehani Gussad with no chance giving the cranes a 1-0 lead with just four minutes played.

The visitors pilled pressure after going down but failed to break the cranes defence commanded by goalkeeper Dennis Onyango.

Both Uganda and Togo were forced into early substitutions with Cranes replacing injured Khalid Aucho for Geoffrey Kizito while Togo brought Mèmè Placca Fessou for skipper Serge Akakpo.

Cranes continued to press for the second goal and got the breakthrough when an excellent move involving Luwagga Kizito and Godfrey Walusimbi was finished off by Vipers SC star Miya .

With the Uganda Cranes cruising in full gear, Miya sealed the game when he volleyed in a third goal from a brilliant walusimbi cross which was headed back by Massa.

Uganda coach Sredojevic Micho said the Togolese side is not an easy side stating how his boys followed his instructions to score early goals in the match.

“The Togolese side is hard but my boys followed my instructions to score early goals,” he said.

Uganda XI Against Togo:
Dennis Onyango (GK), Iguma Dennis, Joseph Ochaya, Murushidi Juuko, Isaac Isinde, Aucho Khalidi, Tonny Mawejje, William Luwaga Kizito, Miya Farouk, Geoffrey Massa (Capt), Godfrey Walusimbi.

Subs
Robert Ondgokara (GK), Salim Jamal (GK), Oloya Moses, Geoffrey Baba Kizito, Ceaser Okhuti, Umony Brian, Ivan Bukenya, Hamis Diego Kiiza