Uganda, Eritrea pick wins in 2019 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup

Hosts Uganda and Eritrea picked wins as the 2019 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup entered Day 3 on Wednesday in Kampala. Eritrea stopped Burundi 1-0 in the first, while Uganda picked their second win in the tournament stopping Somalia 2-0.

Robel Kidane netted the only goal at the stroke of half time for Eritrea, while Burundi’s captain Rachid Harerimana also had two big misses in-front of the Eritrean goal.

“I am happy that my players handled the game well today and dominated. But we need to improve on the striking department,” said Eritrea’s coach Haile Alemseghed Alemseghed.

Burundi’s coach Alain Olivier Niyunoeko said he was disappointed to suffer a second defeat in the tournament. “We tried to play but again the finishing is a problem,” added the coach. Burundi are now virtually out after also suffering a 2-1 defeat in their first game against Uganda.

In the second game Uganda Cranes attacking midfielder Allan Okello scored in each half to make sure the home side keeps a 100% unbeaten record after two games.

Johnathan McKinstry, the Ugandan coach said that there are still certain things that need to be improved going forward. “I am happy we have two wins, but we still have to keep improving,” he added.

Action in Group B returns on Tuesday with Sudan facing Kenya, while Zanzibar take on Tanzania.

Group A standing

P     W     D     L     GF    GA    A    Pts

Uganda    2     2       0     0      4       1       3     6

Eritrea     1       1       0     0      1       0       1     3

Djibouti   1      0       1      0      0       0     0     1

Somalia   2     0       1       1       0       2    -2     1

Burundi   2     0       0      2      1       3     -2     0