- Uganda 1-2 Zanzibar
Uganda Cranes crashed out of the 2017 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup following a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Zanzibar at Moi Sports Complex in Kisumu.
Goals from Abdulaziz Makame and Mohammed Issa Juma sent Zanzibar Heroes to their first ever Senior Challenge Cup final in 22 years.
Makame fired the Heroes ahead after Shafic Bakaki miscued Mudathir Yahya’s corner in the 22nd minute of the game whose opening half was a bit balanced and largely competitive with both sides creating good scoring opportunities.
Bakaki who had a poor outing was substituted by coach Moses Basena replacing him with Bright Stars’ Joseph Nsubuga to pair up with Bernard Muwanga in central defense.
Tournament top scorer Derrick Nsibamba drew Uganda Cranes level six minutes later. Muzamir Mutyaba slid in a perfectly weighted ball for Allan Kyambadde whose ground cross was passed into the bottom corner by the KCCA forward.
In the second half, Uganda were reduced to 10-men after substitute Joseph Nsubuga was shown a straight red card for pulling down Ibrahim Hamad inside the box after a swift counter attack.
Mohammed Issa Juma stepped up and sent Isam Watenga the wrong way firing into the roof to put Zanzibar in the lead.
Basena reacted by sending on Allan Kateregga on for Muzamir Mutyaba who lost possession that to the penalty. Nelson Senkatuka was thrown in the mix for Allan Kyambadde but even with four forwards going at them Zanzibar stood their ground to the final whittle.
Uganda Cranes were without Timothy Awany and Isaac Muleme who were serving one match suspensions after red cards in their final group match against Ethiopia. Bakaki (later Nsubuga) and Vipers’ Robert Madoi (on loan at Police) stepped in for the KCCA pair.
The last and only time they played the final was in 1995 in Uganda when they beat the Cranes at home to lift the title. They will face Kenya in the final on Sunday at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.
The third place playoff match between Uganda and Burundi will precede the final.
