Triumphant Cranes return
Dec 12, 2011
THE CECAFA trophy the Uganda Cranes won on Saturday excited fans at Entebbe International Airport Monday night as the team returned to Kampala.
By Swalley Kenyi
THE CECAFA trophy the Uganda Cranes won on Saturday excited fans at Entebbe International Airport Monday night as the team returned to Kampala.
Coach Bobby Williamson was all praises for the team promising to focus on the youthful players to win more trophies in the coming tournaments. Williamson has already said that his focus now shifts to the 2013 world cup qualifiers.
Uganda Cranes won their 12th CECAFA title with a 3-2 victory over Rwanda at Dar es Salam in Tanzania on Saturday. Regulation time ended 2-2 and Abbey Dhaira was an instant hero when he saved penalties taken by Eric Gasana and Frederic Ndaka while Baisenge hit the pole.
At high tempo mandatory time, two second half goals for each of the sides forced an extra time.
Medi Kagere (50, 79) scored a brace for Rwanda while Isaac Isinde volleyed-in at close range in the 77th minute before Rwandan captain Olivier Karekezi was forced to head in an own goal off Emma Okwi corner kick in the 80th minute.
Williamson's tactical withdrawal of Mike Serumaga, who played behind lead striker Emma Okwi for Hamis Kiiza to play at the same line; and Moses Oloya (Dan Wagaluka) in the right flank and Patrick Ochan (Musa Mudde) in the midfield was the trick.
In the first half Uganda had five shots two by Mawejje, two by Okwi and Serumagga was clear chance this was just a matter of time for the Cranes to take the day.
On top of the trophy, Uganda took $30,000 (sh74m) while Rwanda settled for a consolation $20,000 (49m). Sudan pocketed $10,000 (25m).
Zanzibari President Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein handed the trophy to Cranes captain Andy Mwesigwa.