KCC FC sets up El Merriekh date in semis | Kagame Cup

KCC FC (Uganda) 3–1 Atlabara FC (South Sudan)

KCC FC have set up a date with Sudan giants El Merriekh in the CECAFA Kagame Cup semis after eliminating South Sudan’s Atlabara FC 3-1 in the quarter finals

KCC FC took the lead as early as the 3^rd minute when Brian Majwega tapped the ball into an empty net thanks to a Brian Umony pass which left goalie Mpenzi Jecko beaten.

The Ugandan representatives came close to extending the lead through Umony and Majwega twice but were denied by poor finishing.

The dominance was however rewarded in the 33^rd minute when Brian Umony hit free kick past the wall into the net after Majwega had been foul on the edge of the 18 yard area.

Tom Masiko had a great opportunity to make it 3-0 at the death of half time but shot wide with the goal at his mercy from Isaac Ntege’s cross.

The second half saw Leo Adraa’s side come out rejuvenated and threatened KCC FC’s goal in the 50^th but Dak Kujbor’s shot flew inches over the bar.

KCC FC now sat back to defend their lead as they only threatened on the counter with Atlabara FC enjoying most possession at the moment.

Nsimbe was forced to take off goalie Yasin Mugabi who appeared not to be fine replacing him Martin Elungati who was only making his debut.

In the 74^th minute, the Lugogo based side put the score beyond Atlabara FC’s reach when Hakim Ssenkumba made a good connection with Brian Umony’s cross for his first goal of the tourney and KCC FC’s third on the day.

Nsimbe then made another change withdrawing Owen Kasule for Herman Wasswa and later Brian Majwega for midfielder Daniel Isiagi Opolot.

Atlabara earned a penalty in the 87^th minute after Habib Kavuma’s bad tackle on Nelson Mandela John and Olivier Paul made no mistake but send Elungati the wrong way for his side’s consolation.

There was no change to the score line as Somalia referee Hassan Mohammed blew the final whistle.

KCC FC and El Merriekh will now face off in the semi-finals on Friday at Kigali Regional stadium, Nyamirambo in a repeat of the CAF Champions league preliminary round matches which saw the Ugandan side eliminate El Merriekh.