Cranes advance

Daniel Saire in Kigali Today: Djibouti v Tanzania Ethiopia v Zanzibar UGANDA Cranes Tuesday night lost to Tanzania but still managed to qualify to the quarterfinals of the CECAFA senior challenge cup here. Meeky Maxime scored Tanzania’s lone goal during the run of play. It was the most exciting game of the tournament. Both sides exhibited artistry that has been lacking since the tournament kicked off on Saturday. Luck was not with the Cranes, buoyed by a big following from the stands, they hit the woodwork twice and lost several other scoring chances. George Otika escaped a red card after a dead ball hard tackle against Alphonse Modest. Uganda has a match against Burundi tomorrow but its results will not stop the two sides from joining Tanzania as group B members to the quarterfinal stage. Three teams from group A and B will play at the next stage alongside two from group C that has only three teams. Rwanda A and Kenya are the other potential qualifiers from Group A and the third team was to be known last evening after the Kenya-Somalia and Rwanda-Eritrea games. Somalia and Eritrea are yet to win a match. The host's second side Rwanda B have also qualified from group C after beating Zanzibar 3-0 on Monday. The Islanders must now beat Ethiopia today if they are to realise the dream of lifting the title that has eluded them since 1994. But Ethiopia coach, Haile Asnare, said losing to Zanzibar is the last thing he can hear of. “We have watched them in action and the long time taken without playing has allowed us to prepare for this game,” he said. He is banking on players Ashetu Tillahuni, Mamo Alem and Fakedu Baly for the win. ends