Geoffrey Baba Kizito was the hero for Uganda Cranes after his headed strike earned the hosts maximum points against rivals Kenya in their opening game of group A.
The midfielder rose highest to nod home on the 74th minute mark from a brilliantly taken free kick by Denis Guma after the right back was fouled in the Harambe Stars half by left fullback Abdallah Juma.
Both teams played an attacking game despite a slow start to the match with the first shot on goal coming in the 14th minute through Emmanuel Okwi. The Simba striker was at it again in the 16th minute but his shot went inches off the bar.
Kenya’s first chance of the game fell to Ramah Salim in the 19th minute but the Gor Mahia forward was slow to react to Humphrey Mieno’s through ball. The first shot on target of the game came in the 22nd minute courtesy of Emmanuel Okwi’s shot from a free kick on the edge of the Kenyan yard box.
In the 42nd minute, Uganda survived a penalty scare after custodian Abel Dhaira appeared to have fouled Humphrey Mieno in the forbidden area.
In the second half, Uganda started from where they left off in the first half with Brian Umony, Moses Oloya and Emmanuel Okwi coming close but Duncan Ochieng was up to the task.
Coach James Nandwa introduced danger man Paul Were for Clifton Miheso and the winger troubled Denis Guma on the left earning him a yellow card; the first of the game.
In the 74th minute, marauding right back Denis Guma was blocked by Abdallah Juma and referee Pierre Nkurunziza gave the hosts a free kick. The SC Victoria University player took it brilliantly and Kizito Baba connected with a header which beat Duncan Ochieng in goal to give Uganda the lead which they held on till the final whistle despite late attacks from Kenya including one that hit the posts.
Moses Oloya would have added the second but his well curved shot hit the cross bar.
On a sad note, Abel Dhaira was stretchered off the pitch in the 58th minute after colliding with Kenyan forward Ramah Salim.
In the other game of the group, Ethiopia beat debutants South Sudan 1-0. Yonatal Kebed scored the only goal of the game in the second half.
Games resume tomorrow (Sunday) with Somalia taking on Burundi while Tanzania entertain Sudan later at 6pm. Click here to view all fixtures
