Parliament of Uganda, the football defending champions maintained their supremacy over East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) after a 2-0 win in a fast paced entertaining match at the Sheikh Abeid Amri stadium over the weekend.
Striker, Hon Muhammad Nsereko turned the tormentor-in-chief scoring a brace for the legislators in the lively match played before a large crowd.
The 5th Inter- Parliamentary Games tournament running from 6th-12th December 2014 in Arusha at the Sheikh Abeid Amri Stadium brings together all National Assemblies of the Partner States as well as EALA pitting the legislators against each other in football, netball, athletics and tug-of-war.
The football match saw Uganda dominate the first half coming close to scoring on several occasions.
In the 33rd minute, Hon. Nsereko latched onto a loose ball to slam in the first goal past a stranded EALA goalkeeper, Joseph Mawallah.
On resumption, EALA started the match with pace and determination to equalize but it was a tale of missed chances as Hon Abdullah Mwinyi, Hon Christophe Bazivamo and Wyclif Ketto made constant raids on their opponents’ goal.
In the 43rd Minute, Hon Abdullah Mwinyi rounded the defense but shot wide with the Parliament of Uganda’s keeper, Dan Ssekide beaten.
EALA made a substitution bringing on Hon. Dan Kidega for Hon. Celestine Kabahizi, a move that piled pressure on the Ugandan defense.
However in the 57th minute, Uganda launched a counter-attack which saw Hon. Dennis Obua combine with Hon. Nsereko creating a superb one-two move that saw the latter give the football defending champions a 2-0 lead. A minute later, Hon Mwinyi again missed what would have been a consolation goal.
Earlier on, Kenya National Assembly was awarded a walkover and three points following Parliament of Rwanda’s withdrawal from the tournament.
In netball, EALA earned a walkover and three points over Burundi National Assembly while in pool B, Parliament of Tanzania also benefited from Parliament of Rwanda’s absence to reap 60 goals and reap the three points.
This week, EALA plays Burundi National Assembly in a must-win match for the regional legislators. Prior to that, Parliament of Kenya will meet the Parliament of Tanzania while in netball, Kenya is expected to benefit from 3 points over Burundi, while Tanzania shall square it out with Uganda.
FOOTBALL POOL A: Parliament of Uganda, Burundi National Assembly, EALA
POOL B: Parliament of Rwanda, Parliament of Tanzania, Kenya National Assembly
NETBALL POOL A: EALA, Burundi National Assembly, Kenya National Assembly
POOL B: Parliament of Tanzania, Parliament of Rwanda, Parliament of Uganda