Hosts Uganda to face Zanzibar in CECAFA U-15 Boys Championship final

Uganda Rhinos and Zanzibar will face0-off in the final of the CECAFA U-15 Boys Championship 2023 at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru on Thursday.

To reach the final the reigning champions saw off Tanzania 2-1 in the first semi final, while Zanzibar stopped South Sudan 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in full time in the semi finals played today.

Coach Hamuza Lutalo’s started off comfortably scoring through Abubakali Walusimbi and Samuel Mubiru in the first half.

But after recess the Tanzanian team fought back strongly to put a goal back through Feisal Juma after 83 minutes.

It was Uganda’s fourth straight win in the competition after they also saw off Djibouti, South Sudan and Ethiopia in the group stage.

Lutalo said he was happy that they have so far won all their four matches enroute to the final. ” We need to keep focused because a final is very different and there is a lot of tension, ” added Lutalo.

The hosts who lifted the U-15 title when the Championship was last held in Asmara, Eritrea in 2019 will now face Zanzibar who beat South Sudan 4-2 on penalties that had ended 1-1 in full time in the second semi final played on Monday.

Abdulhafidh Salim gave Zanzibar the lead after only five minutes, but Anur Loburo leveled matters after 34 minutes. During the penalty shoutout Zanzibar’s goalkeeper Mahir Amour saved Ajo Lomoro and Victor Elizaya’s kicks.

” We are very happy to get here to the final. We know facing the home team will not be easy, but we shall be prepared, ” said a happy Zanzibar coach Mohamed Mrishona Mohamed.

The tournament attracted Uganda, Zanzibar, Rwanda, Tanzania, Somalia, South Sudan, Djibouti and Ethiopia.