Uganda 1-0 Zambia (Zambia win 9-8 on penalties after 1-1 draw on aggregate)
Uganda Cranes AFCON jinx still continues after another heart breaking campaign that ended in a penalty shoot-out. The Cranes bowed out on a 9-8 penalty aggregate after Patrick Ochan missed his kick in the winner takes it all after both sides had proved lethal. Geoffrey Massa had given Uganda a 1-0 win to end the tie over two legs in a 1-1 draw.
The Cyprus based striker struck on the 26th minute mark to send the home fans into rapture and ensure the Cranes ended the first 45 minutes on top which they maintained till they the 90 minutes.
After recess, the Chipolopolo seemed the better side and on a number of occasions tested goalie Denis Onyango who was also up to the task. The giant Mamelodi Sundowns made a key saves in the 55th and 59th minutes to deny Southampton forwardEmmanuel Mayuka a would be equaliser.
With ten minutes to go, Emmanuel Okwi who had come on for Brian Umony almost gave Uganda the much needed second goal but his shot on the edge of the 18 yard box went a few inches wide.
The Simba SC striker was at it again in the 82nd minute but his shot after rounding off the Zambian backline but this time went over the bar.
In the 88th minute, the Champions had Free States Star Kennedy Mweene to thank after he made a brilliant save to deny Hamis Kiiza who had been introduced for goal scorer Massa. The Tanzanian based striker who plies his trade with Yanga FC headed on target from close range from Moses Oloya’s cross from the right.
The 90 minutes ended with Massa’s strike the difference and meant the two sides were square 1-1on aggregate. Zambia skipper Christopher Katongo had given his side a 1-0 win in the first leg at Ndola.
Walusimbi, Masaba, Onyango, Okwi, Kiiza, Mawejje, Oloya and Kizito all scored but skipper Andrew Mwesigwa and Patrick Ochan missed theirs.
Zambians scored through Mayuka, Chansa, Sinkala, Mweene, Felix Katongo, Sakuwaha, Himonde, Nkausu and Sunzu. Only skipper Christopher Katongo missed from the spot.
Uganda Line Up:
Denis Onyango (gk), Simeone Masaba, Godfrey Walusimbi, Andrew Mwesigwa, Henry Kalungi, Hassan Wasswa, Geoffrey Kizito, Tony Mawejje, Brian Umony (Emmanuel Okwi), Oloya Moses and Geoffrey Massa (Diego Hamis)
Zambia Line Up:
Kennedy Mweene (gk), Davies Nkausu, Emmanuel Mbola, Stophilla Sunzu, Hichani Himoonde (Chintu Kapamba), Isaac Chansa, William Njovu, Chisamba Lungu (Jonas Sakuwaha), Nathan Sinkala, Emmanuel Mayuka and Christopher Katongo.
Match officials: Haimoudi Djamel (Algeria), Achik Redoune (Morocco), Etchiali Abdelhak (Algeria), Amalou Moktar (Algeria), Testafaye Gebreyesus(Eriteria) and Bolaji Ojo-Oba (Nigeria).