Uganda Cubs Defeat Tanzania to retain CECAFA U-17 title

It was all joy and celebrations after Uganda Cubs defeated Tanzania 3-1 at the Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu, Rwanda on Tuesday to retain the regional Cecafa U-17 title.

Omari Yahaya almost gave Tanzania the lead after 30 minutes when his shot hit the pole and bounced off.

But Uganda’s star striker Oscar Mawa also missed the target by inches as the two sides failed to find goals in the first half.

In the second half the Cubs intensified their search for goals and Ivan Irinimbabazi nodded in a well taken free kick by Vincent Mulema to give the Cubs the lead after 63 minutes.

The Tanzanian side tried to fight back, but failed to break the Ugandan back-line. With 10 minutes to full time Travis Mutyaba dribbled past three defenders and slotted in a low shot to make it 2-0.

The Cubs later conceded an own goal through Mulema who cleared a ball into his goalkeeper’s net after 88 minutes. But the high attacking Uganda Cubs team was not done yet and added a third goal through a penalty.

Defender Omari Yahaya brought down Mutyaba in the box, and skipper Ibrahim Juma converted the penalty on 90 minutes. “I am glad the players have achieved the objectives which were to qualify for the Afcon U-17 and retain our Cecafa trophy,” said Uganda head coach Hamuza Lutalo after the final.

During the Awards ceremony Uganda’s Mutyaba was voted player of the tournament, while Oscar Mawa with six goals received the top scorers’ Award. Tanzania’s Slyvestre Otto picked the Fair Play Award and Uganda’s Henry Mwebe was voted best goalkeeper.
The competition attracted six teams; Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya and hosts Rwanda.