KAMPALA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Uganda on Saturday beat Sudan 2-0 in the first leg of the 2016 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier.

Watched by a fair crowd at the Nakivubo Stadium, the hosts took a 2-0 half time lead with Frank Kalanda and skipper Farouk Miya picking the goals.

It was Kalanda who finished off a ball parried back by the Sudan goalkeeper Yassein Yousif Maki after 15 minutes before Miya made it 2-0 after 35 minutes with a well taken left foot shot.

Sudan's Mudather Eltaib caused lots of problems for the Ugandan defenders but failed to find the target.

On resumption, Ugandan defender Hassan Wasswa Dazo was sent off for a foul on a Sudan striker.

Ugandan goalkeeper James Alitho saved the Eltaib's penalty when he punched it away for a corner. The Sudan team continued to pile lots of pressure but the hosts remained strong and defending in numbers.

Samson Ceaser Okhuti and Tony Odur later missed good scoring chances for Uganda Cranes. The Eriterian referee booked Uganda's Ivan Ntege.

The return leg will be played in Khartoum on Oct. 24 where Uganda needs a draw or a 1-0 loss to qualify for the Championship that will take place in Rwanda between January and February next year.

Uganda Cranes will be eager to qualify for a third straight CHAN event after making it for the 2011 edition in Sudan and last year.

Libya are the defending champions after winning the trophy last year in South Africa.