- Uganda 0-2 Kenya
Kenyan Harambee Stars fully enjoyed the region’s bragging rights with a 2-0 victory over arch-rivals, Uganda Cranes in the 2015 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup Group B match played in Addis Ababa on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
The Kenyans, coached by former Uganda Cranes head coach Bobby Williamson took a deserved 29th minute lead through Nkana Red Devils’ forward, Jacob Keli who finished off Eric Omollo’s telling through ball that caught the entire Ugandan back line flat-footed.
Keli’s cool finish beat the on rushing James Alitho in goal as defender Murushid Jjuuko played catch up in vain.
The sublime strike was a true reflection of the earlier domination by the Harambee Stars.
Uganda’s skipper, Farouk Miya hit the wood work following Erisa Ssekisambu’s well laid ball from the right and earlier, Ceaser Okhuti was slow to connect Denis Okot’s hard shot onto the Kenyan goal.
The second half witnessed Williamson replace the goal scorer, Keli with Kenya’s golden asset of the moment – Michael Olunga.
Meanwhile, Micho called for two immediate changes; introducing the diminutive defensive midfield gem, Ivan Ntege and creative midfielder Kezironi Kizito for a rusty Hassan Wasswa Dazo and Isaac Muleme respectively.
The changes meant, Ochaya who started in the left attack role shifted to left back as Kezironi and Ntege manned the midfield.
However, it was Olunga’s substitution that paid an instant reward – the second goal for Kenya.
A well stationed Gor Mahia star forward needed just two touches onto the ball to score from Clifton Miheso’s cross with a left footed strike past Alitho for Harambee’s second on the day.
In a bid to add the numbers upfront, Micho latter introduced URA F.C forward Frank Kalanda for Vipers’ Erisa Ssekisambu.
Okhuti forced a finger tip save from Kenyan goal custodian but Kenya themselves had a chance to bury off the game with Jesse Were’s attempt that flew wide of goal.
Miya had a chance to at least pull a goal back for Uganda but he blasted the ball high of goal after Kezironi’s defence splitter.
Kenya later introduced Chistian Bamvy for the industrious Clifton Miheso before Allan Wanga came in the place of the effective but then tired legs of Jesse Were.
For the victory, Kenya leads the group with a goal difference over Burundi who won 1-0 over Zanzibar on Saturday.
Next Matches:
Uganda plays Zanzibar in Awassa City (about 250Km from Addis Ababa) as Kenya takes on Burundi in yet another cracker.
Reactions:
Bobby Williamson – Kenya Head Coach:
We are excited about the victory. We shall keep the focus for the next game.
Milutin Sredojevic – Uganda Cranes head coach:
We missed our chances. We were still in the honey moon. Inexperience cost us dear. We shall get back to the drawing board
Uganda Cranes XI: Alitho James(GK), Denis Okot, Isaac Muleme, Bakaki Shafiq, Murushid Jjuko, Hassan Wasswa Dazo,Erisa Sekisambu, Mutyaba Muzamil, Miya Faruku(capt), Okhuti Ceasar, Joseph Ochaya
Changes:
45′ Kezironi Kizito for Hassan Wasswa Dazo, Ivan Ntege for Isaac Muleme
67′ Frank Kalanda for Erisa Ssekisambu
Subs Not Used:
Mathias Kigonya (GK), Richard Kasagga, Nelson Senkatuka, Joseph Nsubuga
Harambee Stars XI: Bonface Oluoch (G.K), David Owino,David Ochieng, Cheche,Omar Mbongi, Noah Abich, Teddy Akumu,Collins Okoth, Eric Johana,Miheso, Jacob Keli, Jesse Were
Changes:
Michael Olunga for Jacob Keli, Clifton Miheso for Chistian Bamvy and Allan Wanga for Jesse Were
