Ugandan man standing in front of camera blocks football fans from watching Cranes draw against Mali

This is the view football fans at home got on their screens [photo courtesy]

There was a drama during a live broadcast of Uganda vs Mali World Cup qualifier match, when a man attending the game decided to stand directly in front of the camera, blocking view of the game on live television.

The incident, which was airing on the State broadcaster, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) went on for a while before the man was asked to move away from the camera.

The live match went on smoothly without another camera incident as Uganda lost an opportunity to top Group E after goalless draw with Mali who maintained its lead in the Group.

Stars played out a barren draw against Uganda Cranes on Thursday in Nairobi before the Michael Olunga captained side was held to a 1-1 draw by Rwanda in Kigali on Sunday.

 

Harambee Stars’ next match will be away to Mali on October 6, before hosting the West African giants four days later.

Kenya’s last matches of the group are away to Uganda on November 11 and at home to Rwanda on November 15.

Mali now lead Group E with four points, while Kenya, who drew 1-1 with Rwanda on Sunday, are second with two points, ahead of Uganda on the same points. Rwanda are bottom of the log with just one point.

Uganda started well with defender Isaac Muleme's freekick after nine minutes that Mali's goalkeeper Ibrahim Mounkoro tipped over the goal post.

Mounkoro again punched Joseph Ochaya's shot a few minutes later, while the visiting side grew confident and started dominating play at the St. Marys Stadium, Kitende.

On 28 minutes, Mali's Adama Traore missed a free-kick from close range after Ugandan defender Murushid Juuko had fouled outside the box. Juuko was later yellow carded for a bad challenge at 34.

The two teams came all out in the second half to break the deadlock, but Ugandan defender Juuko was sent off the pitch for another bad challenge on Ibrahima Kone after 66 minutes.

Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu reacts during their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifier Group E match against Uganda Cranes at Nyayo national stadium on September 02, 2021. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Despite changes by Uganda's Coach Milutin Sredojevic, the hosts failed to score.

Mali's coach Mohamed Magassouba said he was disappointed with the draw because they got many scoring opportunities.

Sredojevic said the draw was good enough since they had a player sent off early in the second half.

"It is not easy to play a talented team of Mali with a player less," he added.