Emmanuel Okwi could have won it for The Cranes at the death but The Cranes can't complain much about the 1-1 draw against Senegal.

A late Godfrey Walusimbi penalty cancelled out Papiss Demba Cisse's first half strike for the visitors. Going into this weekend's must-win 2013 Nations Cup eliminator against Congo-Brazzaville, Cranes coach Bobby Williamson and his charges can learn and change several things from the Senegal game where they were evidently second best.

Although The Cranes started with a flurry of attacks in the early exchanges, the Senegalese took command the moment they settled into the game.The Cranes merely passed without moving forward and midfielder Patrick Ochan was the main culprit.

In fact, had it not been for the profligacy of Senegal's forwards, the score-line could have been much bigger before Walusimbi's leveler. Cisse kept stretching the defence by his runs out wide to create space in the heart of Uganda's defence. Meanwhile, the fact that Cisse's goal is similar to the one Uganda conceded in Angola should concern Williamson.

Admittedly, Williamson says Senegal was a better team. Candid as he was, though, The Cranes can improve their off the ball movement and to use their strengths. Skipper Andy Mwesigwa, who left the field injured reasons they resorted to aerial balls because the Senegalse closed them out fast.

But that has a lot to do with the players' fear for the ball, which prompted goalkeeper Dennis Onyango to kick the balls up, yet the likes of Okwi, Dan Wagaluka, Brian Umony and Martin Mutumba aren't tall enough.

Speaking of Mutumba, he showed lack of tenacity at this level and it was clear he's not ready to be the creative spark in The Cranes. Besides, one can't be sure whether the absent Mike Serumaga would have made a difference considering his indifferent form lately.