Cecafa 2015 Senior Challenge Cup
Uganda beat Rwanda 1-0 to win the 2015 Cecafa Cup
Uganda were crowned 2015 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup champions on Saturday beating Rwanda 1-0 in the final in Addis Ababa.
The Cranes won the competition for a record-extending 14th time thanks to a 15th minute strike from Ceaser Okhuti.
It caps a great year for Uganda.
The Cranes are the only team in the Council for East and Central African Football Association region to reach the group stage of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
It was a particularly satisfying victory for Uganda’s coach, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojovic.
Micho previously coached Rwanda, taking the Amavubi to the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup final in 2011, only to lose to Uganda on penalties.
Saturday’s final was another tight affair, with both sides squandering chances.
Uganda Cranes skipper Farouk Miya, who also missed from close range, was thrilled his side held on for the victory.
“We are happy to win the trophy again since 2012,” said Miya.
“This will be a good motivation for us ahead of the 2016 Africa Nations Championship,” he added.
Uganda, alongside Ethiopia and Rwanda – have all qualified for the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) to be staged in Rwanda starting in January.
Earlier on Saturday hosts Ethiopia took third place in the Cecafa Cup in Addis Ababa.
They beat Sudan 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after the play-off match had ended 1-1.
“I am happy that the team has played their hearts out and managed to finish third out of all 12 teams,” said Ethiopia coach Yohannes Sahle.
Ethiopia had gone 1-0 up early on in normal time through Elias Mamo.
Sudan, who finished second in 2013, equalised with a goal from Walaaeldin Musa Yagoub.
It remained 1-1 with the match being decided on penalties.
Sudan’s Atahir El Tahir had his penalty saved to hand third place to Ethiopia.
Burundian striker Jules Ulimwengu sent hosts Rayon Sports FCc into the quarter final round of the CECAFA Kagame Cup after scoring a brace against Atlabara FC of South Sudan in the second game of Group B staged at Stade de Kigali on Tuesday night.
Ulimwengu, who leads the goal chart with three goals in two matches, snatched a brace in the 12th and 79th minutes to send Rayon Sports to the top of Group B standings with six points, three ahead of TP Mazembe of DR Congo who secured their maiden three points after a slim win over Tanzania’s KMC in an earlier game.
Mondeko Zatu scored a 61st minute header to hand David Mwakasu’s side maximum points which will boost their chances of booking a slot in the next round should they win their final group match against Atlabara FC on July 13.
Rayon Sports FC will face KMC of Tanzania in the final match while TP Mazembe will take on Atlabara FC of South Sudan on July 13. In Group B, Kenyan side Bandari FC were held to a 2-all draw by Mukura in an entertaining match staged at Stade Huye in Huye District while KCCA secured a 1-0 win over reigning champions Azam FC.
PHOTO: Elated Rayon Sports Fans
Bandari FC took the lead in the 23rd minute through Shaban Kenya but Mukura leveled the scores immediately after the resume of the second half through Nyilikindi Saleh. With eight minutes to go, Mukura VS turned tables for Bandari as Ntwali Evode grabbed the second goal for the hosts. However, Bernard Mwalala’s side battle for an equalizer was easily earned through Yema Mwana, who with a lovely effort scored the equalizing goal to register Bandari FC’s second draw of the tournament.
In the second game, Sadat Anaku’s lone goal in the 49th minute helped the Kasasiro Boys to register their first victory in the CECAFA Kagame Cup Tournament. The win saw KCCA go top of Group B with four points, one ahead of second-placed Azam. Bandari FC and Mukura Victory Sports are third and fourth with two and one points respectively.
PHOTO: Bandari vs Mukura FC
Bandari FC will take on Tanzanian side Azam FC in their final match of the group stage while Rwandan side Mukura VS will be up against KCCA of Uganda on July 12.
PHOTO: TP Mazembe vs KMC
Wednesday’s Action
Action continues on Wednesday with Group D action at Stade Umuganda in Rubavu District.
Group D table leaders AS Ports of Djibouti take on Kenyan giants Gor Mahia at 13:00 while KMKM of Zanzibar will face AS Maniema Union of DR Congo at 15:30.
Two teams from each group will advance to the quarter final round of the region’s oldest continental club championship which is slated to climax on July 21.
The winner of the annual tournament stands to pocket $30,000 (Rwf. 27 million) in prize money while runners up will receive $20,000 (Rwf. 18 million) and $10,000 (Rwf. 9 million) respectively.
CECAFA Kagame Cup 2019
Tuesday, July 9 Results
Group B
Bandari F.C. 2-2 Mukura VS&L
KCCA 1-0 Azam F.C
Group A
KMC 0-1 TP Mazembe
Atlabara 0-2 Rayon Sports FC
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Group D
AS Ports vs Gor Mahia (Stade Umuganda, 13.00)
KMKM vs AS Maniema (Stade Umuganda, 15h30)
Uganda and hosts Ethiopia will meet in the semi-finals of the 2015 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup on Thursday.
The Cranes saw off guest side Malawi Flames 2-0 at the Addis Ababa Stadium.
Captain Farouk Miya (pictured) got his third goal of the tournament as he headed home a Joseph Ochaya cross after just five minutes.
Ceaser Okhuti scored after just two minutes of the second-half to seal the win for coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic.
The Ugandan defence of Richard Kassaga, Ochaya and Murushid Juuko kept the Malawi strikers Schumacher Kuwali and Chiukepo Msowoya at bay.
“I am happy to be on the score sheet again today,” Okhuti who features for Express FC back in Uganda told BBC Sport.
Ethiopia needed penalties to beat Tanzania when the game ended after 90 minutes.
Jon Bocco gave Tanzania the lead after 25 minutes, but the hosts came back strongly to convert a penalty through Gatoch Panom midway through the second half.
Tanzania’s Jonas Mkude and Shomari Kapombe failed to convert their penalties as Ethiopian goalkeeper Mamo was the hero saving their shots to hand his side the victory.
On Tuesday Sudan will face South Sudan for the second time in a week while defending champions Kenya take on Rwanda in the other quarter final matches.
Kenya 0 (3) – 0 (5) Rwanda
Rwanda Amavubi stars dumped CECAFA defending champions, Kenya out of the 2015 edition, 5-3 on post match penalties following a tense penalty shoot out after normal time had ended goal-less at the Addis Ababa stadium in Ethiopia on Tuesday afternoon.
Rwanda thus becomes the fourth nation to progress to the semi finals of Africa’s oldest football competition.
Earlier on Monday, Uganda, the tournament record holders with 13 titles had overcome guest nation, Malawi 2-0 before host nation, Ethiopia got the better of Tanzania 4-3 on penalties after a one all draw.
On Tuesday, Sudan edged South Sudan 5-3 on penalties following another goal-less stalement.
Quarter-finalists of the 2015 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup are, the hosts Ethiopia, reigning champions Kenya, record winners Uganda, South Sudan, Malawi, Tanzania, Rwanda and Sudan.
South Sudan have quickly set about building a reputation, having only been recognised by Fifa in 2012.
On Friday they shocked guest side Malawi 2-0 at the Bahir Dar Stadium, thanks to goals from James Joseph Saeed Mogaand Bruno Martinez, to finish top of Group C and book their place in the last eight of the tournament.
“This is good for our country and we shall celebrate this today,” said Martinez after the game.
Malawi are also through to the last eight despite the loss.
On Saturday, hosts Ethiopia needed a late own goal to draw 1-1 against Tanzania at the Hawassa Stadium to qualify as one of the best third placed teams.
Simon Msuva netted in the 51st minute for Tanzania in the Group A match, but coach Yohannes Sahle’s side kept pushing forward only for Salim Mbonde to score in his own net at the stroke of full-time.
While the four time Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup winners Ethiopia had to wait for an own goal to qualify, defending champions Kenya had Uganda Cranes to thank for their progress, after Uganda beat Burundi 1-0.
Substitute Frank Kalanda replaced Muzamil Mutyaba and netted Uganda’s winning goal for the 13-time record winners to ensure both they and Harambee Stars went through.
The result meant Kenya finished in second place in Group B, despite their 3-1 defeat to Zanzibar on Friday.
Also on Friday, Sudan won their first match at the event beating Djibouti 4-0. Djibouti were eliminated while Sudan advanced as one of the best third-placed sides.
In Group A Rwanda were 3-0 winners over Somalia, who crashed out of the tournament after three straight defeats.
The knock out stage will now shift back to the Addis Ababa Stadium.
On Monday, Uganda Cranes will face guest side Malawi in the first quarter-final before Tanzania take on Ethiopia the same day.
On Tuesday, South Sudan will battle arch rivals Sudan before Rwanda take on defending champions Kenya.
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