Uganda head coach Paul Put claims he is also is dealing with the same problem as Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos after a 2-2 draw in the opening 2025 AFCON qualifier.
The Cranes struggled in the first stanza but fortunately went to the interval only 1-0 down and were able to make a comeback early in the second stanza through quick goals by Denis Omedi and Rogers Mato.
However, Put's charges conceded in added time, after an equaliser by Bafana midfielder Thalente Mbatha and the sides shared a point apiece in their opening game of Group K.
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"First-half I didn't recognize Uganda, we were nowhere. I told the players in the first-half it was a shame and I cannot accept this way of performance, certainly not, because we have been playing very well against Algeria, Botswana [in World Cup qualifiers]," Put said on SABC Sport.
"So also we were lucky we didn't receive two, three goals in the first-half but sometimes you need this luck and the second-half we saw more of Uganda, with more dynamism, more motivation, more mentality, more in the duels.
"We didn't show respect, in the first-half we showed too much respect against a very good team. But in the end, hard feeling, because we were very close to getting three points. I don't say it was a right result but in this situation you hope you can get results," the Belgian said.
"If you can sign at the beginning of the game for a draw? We will do. But in the end I'm proud of the second-half but I'm disappointed with the first-half."
The 68-year-old mentor admitted that they have been working on testing Mothwa in goal, who has not played a competitive game for his club AmaZulu this season.
The 33-year-old shot-stopper made a howler in the second stanza, after a long range by Mato slipped past his fingers.
"Yes, we have also been working on this issue [Mothwa lacking match fitness] during those three, four days but I also have the same problem as Hugo. I have players who were not in competition, players who didn't play in Uganda.
"So, it's always difficult but anyway we have been asking to play more forward like we normally do, with aggression and also shots from the second line and that was our luck today. You also need luck on your side but I think we started well. This is a good result if we can win at home," the Belgian added.