Zanzibar 2-1 South Sudan [Suleiman Abdi Kassim 5’ Adeyum Saleh Ahmed 67′ | Fabiano Lako]
Zanzibar Heroes made a solid beginning to their GOtv 2013 CECAFA Cup campaign with a 2-1 victory over South Sudan at Nyayo stadium, Nairobi.
Suleiman Kassim and Adeyum Saleh scored two vital goals for the Islanders in the each half to send them top of group A with three points.
Suleiman broke the deadlock as early as the fifth minute after Bright Stars’ goalie Jumma Genaro misjudged a cross which he easily knocked into an empty net.
The goal appeared to be a wake up for call for South Sudan who are making just their second appearance into the tournament as they dominated most parts of the game but failed to trouble Zanzibar custodian Rashid Abdallah.
After recess, South Sudan continued its dominance and twice came close to leveling matters but Abdallah was so alert denying Khamis Leyano twice while Jacob Osulu narrowly missed after heading wide.
Zanzibar managed to weather the storm and in the 67th minute they doubled the lead when substitute Adeyum Saleh Ahmed fired a volley first-time beyond the dive of Genaro.
However the islanders took their foot of the gas and just 5 minutes later South Sudan were back in the game. Another substitute, debutant Fabiano Lako, took advantage of some slack defending to half the deficit with a well taken goal.
The goal was their first at the CECAFA Cup as they didn’t score in the debut tournament in Kampala but they failed to seriously trouble Abdalla in the latter stages as the Heroes held on to a crucial opening day victory.
With hosts Kenya sharing spoils in the other game of the group, Zanzibar now lead the group with three points, Kenya and Ethiopia have one while South Sudan sits at the base with no point.
