Uganda revived their hopes of retaining Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup after they hammered South Sudan 5-1 on Friday.

Cranes head coach Moses Basena made changes to his starting line-up, the notable one - Allan Kateregga dropping to the bench for Kaweesa Hood. Basena’s gamble paid off when his three attackers gave him a commanding lead just 10 minutes from the first whistle.

Milton Kalisa shot Uganda into the lead in the 7th minute with a killer strike that beat Juma Jinaro in South Sudan goal.
Kaweesa, who replaced former AFC Leopards midfielder, Kateregga in Cranes' starting eleven, doubled the advantage just three minutes later, with a fine header from an Isaac Muleme’s cross.

Aluck Akech went into the referee’s book after he picked the first yellow card in the 14th minute for a foul but the guilty South Sudanese player almost reduced Uganda’s two-goal advantage just three minutes later after the booking but his left-foot shot was blocked Muleme.

Muleme was denied by Janiro’s long hands at close range after Cranes' lethal attacking trio caught the South Sudanese defence napping. A quick break saw South Sudan reduce Uganda’s advantage through Atak Wol in the 26th minute, just two minutes after Uganda’s third goal was waved for an offside.

Derrick Nsibambi restored Uganda’s two-goal advantage at the half-hour mark with a long-range shot from outside the box for a 3-1 lead.

The newest Cecafa members were dented a blow after Jinaro was pulled out following an injury, just two minutes to the break. Jinaro had conceded three goals by the time he was pulled out for Daniel Khamisi.

Uganda was dominant in the opening half, going into the break having troubled South Sudanese's goal four times. Uganda, who had a 63 percent of ball possession also, had two attempts off the mark.

Nsibambi completed his brace in the 57th after slotting in Tom Masiko’s cross from a corner-kick. Nicholas Wadada completed Uganda’s route with an 88th-minute goal for a massive 5-1 win.

The massive defeat leaves South Sudan as the only team to have conceded the highest number of goals, eight so far having lost 3-0 to Ethiopia in the opener.

The win saw Uganda move top of Group B thanks to their superior goal difference. Burundi are second followed by Ethiopia and South Sudan.

Uganda starting XI: Ochan Benjamin (GK), Muwanga Benard, Muleme Isaac, Awany Timothy, Wadada Nicholas, Saddam Ibrahim, Kyambadde Allan, Mutyaba Muzamir, Kalisa Milton, Kawese Hood and Nsibambi Derrick,

Subs
: Ismail Watenga, Kateregga Allan, Tom lkara, Isiagi Daniel, Shafiq Bakaki, Joseph Nsubuga, Aggrey Madoi, Paul Mucureezi, Tadeo Lwanga and Nelson Senkatuka.

South Sudan XI: Juma Jinaro, Mumin Wataryor, Khamis Celestino, Zachary Benasio, Awad Lemi, Wanu Jimmy, Domonic Abu, Peter Chol, Aluck Mabior, Atak Luak and Khamis Leon.

Subs: Daniel Dak, Atif Mustafa, Yasir Khamis, Osama Kamal, Wani Jimmy, Aluck Aketch, Saalah Adam and Sebit Ajak.