CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup
Eritrea 0-2 Uganda
StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo
Wednesday, 11-12-2019
LUGOGO – The Uganda national men’s football national team sealed a spot in the semi finals of the 2019 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup thanks to a 2-0 victory over Eritrea.
Having won their first two games, the Cranes knew that a victory on Wednesday would see them into the last four and they got the job done.
After a goalless first half, goals by Nicholas Kasozi and Mustafa Kizza did the damage despite hed coach Johnathan McKinstry making 9 changes to the team that had won 2-0 against Somalia on Monday.
Kasozi opened the scoring on 58 minutes with a ferocious strike that somehow found it’s way into the back of the net despite Eritrea custodian Solomun Kibrom initially seeming to have taken care of it.
Nine minutes from time, Kizza sealed the contest. The left-back who had seen his free-kick handled in the box moments earlier, sent Kibrom the wrong way from the penalty spot.
A much changed Cranes side that had only retained captain Halid Lwaliwa and Kizza from Monday’s victory, should have won more comfortably but missed several opportunities.
Uganda Premier League top scorer Steven Mukwala lashed onto a Mustafa Mujuzi’s through ball but shot wide.
Karim Watambala shot wide from a glorious opening.
Police FC’s Ben Ocen was the main culprit on the day as he kept on popping up late.
He could have put Uganda ahead in the first half but could not convert from a Watambala pass with the goal at his mercy.
Late in the game, substitute Joachim Ojera shot wide after he was played in by Kizza.
Eritrea has so far been the revelation of the competition but could not find solutions to Uganda’s dominance.
They could have offered a better fight but could not convert their chances.
Robel Teklemichael could not beat Joel Mutakubwa from a one-on-one situation just after Robel Kidane shot straight at the Kyetume FC custodian.
Ali Suleiman also had a glorious chance to score but his lobbed effort sailed over the bar.
The result sees Uganda maintain top spot with 9 points from three games. They return to action on Sunday against Somalia.
After Djibouti beat Burundi 2-1 earlier on Wednesday, Eritrea now slips into third on three points, one behind Djibouti.
How both sides started
Eritrea
Kibrom Solomun, Deyben Hintsaeb, Robel Teklemicheal, Ali Suleiman Ibrahim, Sayas Abreham Goytom, Ablelom Teklezghi, Abel Okbay Solomon, Filmon Tumzghi, Michael Habte, Robel Kidane, Filmon Semere
Uganda
Joel Mutakubwa, Musitafa Mujuzi, Mustafa Kizza, Halid Lwaliwa, Paul Mbowa, Nicolas Kasozi, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Karim Watambala, Ben Ocen, Steven Mukwala, and Viane Sekajugo
