CECAFA SENIOR CHALLENGE CUP: Uganda Cranes stop Eritrea to storm semi final

Uganda Cranes have joined defending champions Kenya in the semi final stage at the 2019  CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup after their 2-0 win over Eritrea on Wednesday. Midfielder Nicolas Kasozi and Mustafa Kizza scored the goals to guide Uganda Cranes to their third straight win in the tournament at the StarTimes Stadium.

Kasozi netted his first goal in the national team jersey after 58th minutes with a long shot that Eritrean goalkeeper Kibrom Solomun fumbled with before it rested in the net.

Eritrea who had better command of the game continued to attack, but Uganda Cranes goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa was up to the task by making several saves from skiepper Robel Michael Tekle, Robel Kidane and Filmon Semere.

On 80 minutes Kizza doubled for Uganda from the spot after defender Micheal Habte handled the ball in the box off a free-kick.

Eritrea’s coach Haile Efrem Alemseghed said it was unfortunate that after dominating the game his team failed to win. “We need to go back and plan well for our remaining games against Djibouti and Somalia,” added the coach.

“Our opponents had smooth passing of the ball. But Football is about winning games. We did better in the second half but we seriously need to be better than today,” said Uganda’s coach Jonathan McKinstry.

In an earlier Group A game Djibouti shocked Burundi 2-1 with Mahdi Houssein netting a brace for Djibouti, while Landry Ndikumana scored for Burundi.

Julien Mette, the Djibouti coach said he was impressed with his players’ positive attitude. “Like I said this tournament is helping us prepare the team for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers,” he added.

Burundi’s assistant coach Miad Charmake blamed his team for the loss. “It is a game we should have won, but my players underrated the Djibouti team,” added Charmake.

Group A table standing

P     W     D     L      GF     GA     A    Pts

Uganda      3      3      0      0      6        1       5     9

Djibouti      2      1      1      0      2       1       1      4

Eritrea        2      1      0      1      1       2      -1      3

Somalia      2      0      1      1       0      2      -2      1

Burundi      3      0      0      3      5     2      -3      0