Zanzibar pick first win in Cecafa U-20 Challenge Cup

Coach Nasor Sawn Mohamad’s Zanzibar team picked their first win at the on-going Cecafa U-20 Challenge Cup in Uganda on Tuesday. After falling 5-0 to Kenya in their opening match, the Zanzibar team needed to collect maximum points to brighten their chances of qualifying for the quarter finals.

Saadam Makame Mohamad gave Zanzibar a 1-0 lead at half time before Abebayehu Hajiso leveled for Ethiopia five minutes into the second half.

But Ethiopia were forced into making an early change with Eyob Matios limping off after sustainig an injury on 30 minutes for Habtum Hale to come on.

Ethiopia continued to press for a winning goal, but Zanzibar’s goalkeeper Ahmed Ali Hamdu was up to the task with fine saves. It was a late strike on the 90^th minute by Khalid Shaban Mbarouk that secured maximum points for Zanzibar.

“We are happy to get this win before we play our brothers Tanzania in the last group game on Thursday. We are determined to qualify for the quarter finals,” said Zanzibar’s assistant coach Ibrahim Mohamad.

Yosef Tesfaye, Ethiopia’s coach was a disappointed man. “We should have won this game but my players were in a hurry to score and defended poorly as well,” he said.