KCC FC coach George ‘Best’ Nsimbe believes his former goal keeper Jamal Salim was the difference as El Merriekh eliminated the Ugandan side to reach the finals of this year’s CECAFA Kagame Cup.
Jamal Salim who joined El Merriekh from KCC FC mid this year saved two penalties and struck the winner as the Sudan giants beat KCC FC 3-0 on penalties after a 2-2 draw after extra time.
“My boys did well and on any other day, we would have won the game before the shootout,” Nsimbe told Kawowo Sports. “We created the better chances and to me, Jamal Salim was the difference in the shootout,” Nsimbe added.
KCC FC had to twice chase the game as El Merriekh took the lead through Mohammed Traore and later Gabir Abdalate but failed to convert any spot kick as Brian Umony and Brian Majwega shot straight at Jamal while Tom Masiko missed target.
“Maybe they were nervous as they faced a player who knows how they take their kicks and in the end, it worked in Salim’s favour. No doubt he is good at saving penalties and he showed it again,” Nsimbe stressed.
Nsimbe’s side will now face Rwanda’s Police FC in a third place play off that will see the winner bag $ 10,000 and bronze medals.
On the game, he says Police FC is a good side but insisted his charges are not ready to leave empty handed thus will give it a fight.
“Focus now shifts to the third place play off against Police FC and am optimistic we’ll at worst finish third.”