Uganda started this year's CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup campaign on good note following their 2-1 victory over Burundi on Saturday at Lugogo. 

 

 Anukani celebrates his goal with teammates

Cranes who are also the record champions (14 titles) of this regional football tournament, saw Bright Anukani and Fahad Bayo score for the national side in the 8th and 21 minutes respectively.     

 

Cedric Rurasenga scored a consolation goal for Burundi in the 60th minute. 

 

This was also a good start for coach Jonathan McKinstry who has a chance to win his first silverware for Uganda just like some of his predecessors, Bobby Williamson and Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredjovic did during their tenure as Uganda Cranes coaches.

 The Cranes team that faced Burundi

Burundi has so far faced the Cranes three times in a space of three months. 

 

The two sides met twice in the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN2020) qualifiers before Uganda eliminated them 6-1 on aggregate to make it to the finals in Cameroon next year.

 Action between Somalia and Djibouti during a CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup match at Lugogo. Match ended 0-0. PHOTO: Michael Nsubuga

Uganda is in group A alongside Eritrea, Somalia, Djibouti, and Burundi, while group B is comprised of Tanzania, Sudan, Kenya, and Zanzibar.     

 

In the other match played today, Djibouti played to a goalless draw with Somalia.

 

 

Kenya’s Harambee Stars beat Zanzibar 3-2 on post-match penalties after 2-2 draw to win the last edition in 2017.