Cranes claw

Nov 24, 2000

UGANDA's two teams Cranes and Lions yesterday stormed the semi finals of the regional event with victory over lowly Somalia and Eritrea at Nakivubo and Mbale respectively.

* Bantu goal spurs Uganda Lions into CECAFA semi finals By WILLIAM MUWONGE & Joseph wanzusi Uganda Cranes 6 Somalia 0 Uganda Lions 1 Eritrea 0 Djibouti 2 Burundi 4 UGANDA's two teams Cranes and Lions yesterday stormed the semi finals of the regional event with victory over lowly Somalia and Eritrea at Nakivubo and Mbale respectively. Two goals from Andrew Mukasa, one each from Fred Makokha a professional in Kenya, Ibrahim Buwembo, Hassan Mubiru and Edward Kalungi settled the Cranes Group A game. Moses Bantu too scored a superb lone goal that saw Lions reach the last four stage with a game at hand just like senior team Cranes. Bantu's all important goal came in the 75 minute after controlling a free kick from Godfrey Kateregga to send a block buster past towering Eritrean goalie Abdul Suleman. Cranes, the most successful team in the bi-annual show with seven wins, secured the biggest win so far. Somalia, the only original CECAFA nation yet to win the event, is out of contention after the defeat. The team's left winger Mohamed Bashir was sent off for foul play. Earlier on, Burundi outclassed Djibouti 4-2. Nicholas Kubi, the tournament leading striker at three goals, scored twice just like Abdallah Irambona. Ahid Ahmed and Hassan Mohamad netted for Djibouti whose defender Moussa Mohamed got a red card. Today is rest day. Tomorrow, Ethiopia faces Djibouti, Somalia meets Burundi in Group A. Eritrea takes on Rwanda in Group B. Eritrea who looked a better side in the first were later pinned in their own after half time as the capacity crowd in the municipal stadium kept cheering and singing from the stands. Standings; Group A W D L F A Pts Uganda 3 2 1 0 10 3 7 Ethiopia 2 1 1 0 4 3 4 Burundi 2 1 0 1 5 4 3 Djibouti 2 0 1 1 2 4 1 Somalia 3 0 1 2 1 8 1 Group B Lions 2 2 0 0 4 2 6 Rwanda 2 1 0 1 4 4 3 Kenya 2 0 1 1 1 2 1 Eritrea 2 0 1 2 0 1 1 Ends.

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