Derrick Nsibambi volleys the ball Credit: Felix Ochii

CECAFA Senior Challenge cup 2017:

1st Semi final:

  • Kenya 1-0 Burundi

2nd Semi final:

  • Uganda Cranes 1-2 Zanzibar
[/media-credit] Derrick Nsibambi volleys the ball during Uganda Cranes defeat to Zanzibar in the 2017 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup Credit: Felix Ochii

A new champion awaits the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup championship for the year 2017.

This is after defending champions and record winners Uganda Cranes bowed out 2-1 to Island nation Zanzibar in the second semi final match played at Moi Sports Complex in Kisumu on Friday.

Abdul-Azizi Makame headed home the opening goal on 22 minutes after a goal melee that followed a teasing corner kick from Ibrahim Ahmada.

Six minutes later, Uganda Cranes found the equalizer through Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) football club striker Derrick Nsibambi.

Fellow club mate Muzamiru Mutyaba released SC Villa Jogoo’s Allan Kyambadde on the right during a quick counter attack.

Allan Kyambadde dribbles during the game. The Jogoo midfielder assisted in Uganda Cranes’ equalizer

Kyambadde laid a ground squared ball that Police striker Hood Kaweesa dummied as an unmarked Nsibambi drove the ball to the far post of the diving Zanzibar goalkeeper Mohamed Abdulrahman.

Uganda Cranes head coach Moses Basena was forced to make an early change in the opening stanza of the game when Vipers’ defender Shafik Bakaki paved way for SC Villa’s Joseph Nsubuga.

Half time ended all square at one goal apiece.

Uganda was reduced to 10 men when Joseph Nsubuga was shown marching orders for pulling down an opponent in the forbidden area.

Juma Mohammed Issa scored the resultant penalty, shooting to the left upper roof of the net as goalie Watenga dived to the right.

The Cranes bench introduced Allan Kateregga and Nelson Senkatuka in the later stages of the game to no avail.

Zanzibar will now take on hosts Kenya Harambee Stars – who beat Burundi 1-0 after extra time in Thursday’s first semi-final.

Uganda will take on Burundi in the race for third place.

Both the final and third place play off will be staged at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Sunday.

Team Line Ups:

Ismail Watenga (G.K), Nico Wakiro Wadada, Aggrey Madoi, Shafik Bakaki, Bernard Muwanga,  Tadeo Lwanga, Allan Kyambadde, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Hood Kaweesa, Derrick Nsibambi, Milton Karisa
Substitutes: Benjamin Ochan, Tom Ikara, Daniel Isiagi, Paul Mucureezi, Tom Masiko,  Nelson Senkatuka, Ibrahim Sadam Juma, Joseph Nsubuga, Allan Kateregga
Suspended: Denis Timothy Awany and Isaac Muleme (Were red carded against Ethiopia)
Zanzibar XI vs Uganda Cranes in the 2017 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup

Zanzibar XI:

Mohamed Abdurahman (G.K), Suleiman Kassim, Ahmed Adeyum, Abdalla Salum, Issa Dau, Abdul Azizi Makame, Mohamed Issa, Yahya Mudathir, Ibrahim Ahmada, Feisal Salum, Ibrahim Said

Subs:

Ahmed Ali (G.K), Nassor Mrisho, Ibrahim Abdalla, Hamad Mshamata, Seif Rashid, Abdalla Haji, Haji Mwinyi

Head Coach: Hemed Suleiman

David Isabirye is a senior staff writer for Kawowo Sports where he covers most of the major events.

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