CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup: South Sudan storm semis, Uganda out

South Sudan and Tanzania have this afternoon booked places in the semi finals of the CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup ongoing in the Ethiopian town of Bahir Dar.

In the first game South Sudan defeated Djibouti 2-0 to finish second in Pool B, but qualified as the best runner-up among all the three pools.

After dominating the first half and missing several scoring opportunities, the South Sudan team returned determined and scored two second half goals through Mabior Akeck Aluk after 87 minutes and a penalty converted by Dominic Angelo Kornelio.
Djibouti also had Mohamed Fouad Mohamed and Abass Fouad Abdourahman miss the target early in the second half.

Abkar Abdelkarim Mutwakil, the South Sudan captain said they played their hearts out as a team and were determined to win.

In the second game Tanzania with stood a lot of pressure, but still managed to draw 1-1 with Uganda to book their place in the knock out stage.

Tanzania’s goalkeeper Boniface Mnata Metacha stopped Steven Dese Mukwala’s penalty early in the game after Sospeter Israel Bajana had handled the ball in the box. But the Tanzanian team also earned a penalty after Msehack Abraham Mwamita had been brought down in the box. Sospeter Isreal Bajana stepped forward and sent the Ugandan goalkeeper Charles Lukwago the wrong side after 30 minutes.

The Ugandan team put a lot of pressure as the Tanzanians defended in numbers. In the second half Mukwala leveled matters for Uganda when he slotted in after 40 minutes.

Uganda continued to dominate the match, but the Tanzanian team defended well to book a place in the knock out stage. Tanzania beat guest side Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in their opening match.

“I am delighted that we are through to the semi final after a very tough game against Uganda,” said Tanzania’s head coach Kim Poulsen.

Uganda’s coach Morley Byekwaso said that the penalty miss had brought Tanzania back into the game. “Although we have failed to make it to the next stage, I am happy that the boys managed to express themselves well,” added Byekwaso.

Tanzania will now face South Sudan, while Kenya battle Burundi in the semi-finals. While the Djibouti team that is ranked ninth after the Pool stage will head back home, the other teams Ethiopia, Uganda, DR Congo and Eritrea will play classification matches.