CECAFA: Uganda edge Tanzania to storm final
Dec 17, 2019
Earlier, Eritrea shocked defending Champions Kenya with a 4-1 win in the opening match of the day.
CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup
Semifinals
Uganda 1 Tanzania 0
Kenya 1 Eritrea 4
Final on Thursday
Uganda v Eritrea
Uganda needed Fahad Bayo's 86th-minute strike to break a resistant Tanzanian side in the semifinals of the CECAFA Challenge Cup at Lugogo on Tuesday.
The Cranes will now face Eritrea who beat Kenya 4-1 in the first semifinal, at the same venue on Thursday.
Uganda failed to impress in the whole match with Tanzania arguably the better side but would fall later in the dying minutes of the match.
Despite finding the net, later on, Bayo and Allan Okello lacked sharpness in front of the goal with the middle battle also proving hard for Bright Anukani and Shafik Kagimu who struggled to break the solid Tanzanian defense.
Uganda Cranes Coach Jonathan Mckinstry applauded Tanzania for the strong performance against his side but hailed the Cranes for their patience until the winning goal came.
"Tanzania has surely given us a run for our money. They have been a tough side to break. Big credit to my boys who waited patiently until they found the breakthrough," Mckinstry noted.
Asked on how desperate wants to win his first silverware for Uganda. The Irish man who lost the 2015 CECAFA final to Uganda when with Rwanda told members of the press that however much he wants to win the championship, there are many young players in the squad who want to the championship more than he does.
"Of course it's every coach's dream to win the trophy for his team but when you look at the squad. They are young players who are desperate to win the trophy as well. Some have played for the national team for the first time," he added.
Earlier, Eritrea shocked defending Champions Kenya with a 4-1 win in the opening match of the day.