The Kaizer Chiefs player of the 2005 – 2006 season David Obua playing in his first competitive match since injuring himself in June, gave his country Uganda’s national teams chances of qualifying for their first Africa Cup of Nations tournament since 1978 a major boost when he scored a hat trick as Uganda defeated Niger 3-1 in their final group 3 game in Kampala on Saturday.

With their win at the Nelson Mandela stadium the Cranes could now be inline to qualify for the 2008 Nations Cup to be held in Ghana early next year as one of the best second place finishers but will have to depend on a number of results on Sunday going their way for their progress to be confirmed.

Early off the mark

Uganda took the lead after just two minutes when Obua himself was brought down in the Niger 18 yard area, the Chiefs man stepped up and like he did when the Cranes upset the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a qualifying game back in June he sent the ball crashing home and the 60 000 fans inside the stadium in Kampala into delirium. Niger though did find and equalizer on the stroke of half time, Obua got the crowd back on their feet with his second goal in the 72nd minute and completed his hat trick with six minutes remaining on the clock.

The Chiefs utility man is expected back in Johannesburg on Monday morning, and will team up with the rest of his Kaizer Chiefs team mates later on Monday for training as they prepare for their important league game against SuperSport United on the 16th September.