GOtv CECAFA 2013:
Group C 2nd December Results:
Uganda 3 – 0 Eritrea
Sudan 1 – 0 Rwanda
Uganda Cranes have become the second team after Sudan to book a quarterfinal slot at the on-going GOtv CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in Kenya. The positive development follows the 13 time CECAFA Champion’s impressive 3-0 victory over horn of Africa nation, Eritrea, in a thrilling fixture played at the artificial turf of City Stadium, located right in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.
By the half time mark, former Simba SC and De Sahel striker, Emma Okwi who missed the team’s opener against Rwanda on Friday at Nyayo had registered a double. Both of Okwi’s strikes coming off the hardworking effort of the pacy and tricky Gor Mahia striker – cum-wide diminutive player, Dan ‘Muzei’ Sserunkuma .
Now a Sports Club Villa Striker, Emma Okwi returning to the side after a slight injury scare, had a simple 9th minute tap in after Sserunkuma’s spade work down the right before Diego Hamis Kizza netted penalty 10 minutes later, this time round after Sserukuma was brought down in the area by Eritrea defender, Suarfael Tesfamekal, a crime that also earned him a booking from the day’s referee, Thiery Nkurunziza of Burundi.
Sserunkuma, who scored the lone goal against Rwanda again created the third, this time with the assist via the left flank with great laid ball that found Okwi at the right place in the right position.
In fact, Sserunkuma, who eventually scooped the man of the match award (accolade comes forth with DSTV decoder), would have scored one himself but his solo run and effort hit the woodwork in the 85th minute of play.
Eritrea’s dreadlocked striker, Serak Beyene, who is based in the United States of America, worked tirelessly upfront but he was easily controlled by Uganda’s center halves, Savio Kabugo and Richard Kassaga. The pair would buy off some time to attack especially during corner kicks.
As it stands, Uganda joins Sudan on 6 points and have secured qualification to the quarterfinals of the biannual tourney despite a date in hand with Sudan themselves yet to come.
Action resumes on Tuesday as the hosts, Kenya play Zanizbar while South Sudan plays Ethiopia. Both Matches will be held in Nakuru town.
Team Line-Ups:
UGANDA: Benjamin Ochan, Nicholas Wadada, Godfrey Walusimbi, Savio Kabugo, Richard Kassaa, Khalid Aucho, Baaba Kizito (’87 Joseph Mpande), Diego Kizza (’62 Isaac Muleme), Dan Sserunkuuma, Brian Majwega (’47 Said Kyeyune), Emma Okwi
Subs Not Used: Isma Bin Rashid Watenga and Franco Oringa (Goal Keepers), Julius Ntambi, Martin Mpuga, Ibrahim Kizza.
ERITREA: Abdulahi Abdurahman (GK), Haile Goitom , Yasser Omer ,Yonas Selemun, Suarfael Tesfamekal , Samson Estifanos , Yekalo Gezae , Yonathan Selemon , Muner Ahmed , Haben Berhan (’61 Omer Selahaden) , Serak Beyene.
Officials:
Center Referee: Thiery Nkurunizza (Burundi), 1st Assistant:Zakara Fraser (South Sudan), Gilbert Cheruiyot (Rwanda), 4th Official: Ferej Tamim (Zanizbar)
Referees Inspector: Ali Ahmed (Somalia)
Media Officers: Rogers Mulindwa (Uganda) and Badri Bakheit (Sudan)
