Cranes suffer

HARD TIMES: Cranes coach Namakola was shown the exit. BY DANIEL SAIRE IN KIGALI UGANDAN team officials have blamed Somali linesman Shire Haydar Beshir for their 3-2 loss to Rwanda A in the quarterfinal game on Tuesday. “It is unfortunate that for the first time we are having pre-determined results in CECAFA,” said Cranes assistant coach Charles Namakhola. Namakhola was sent off the bench by Tanzanian referee Abdukadir Isaak for protesting Rwanda’s winner by Hamis Begumoho that ended Cranes’ title defence. “It is true we played badly especially in defence where goalie Sam Kawalya failed to stop any cross. But all the same we should have lost genuinely not via this type of day light robbery,” said a bitter Namakhola. The goal, scored in the dying minutes of the thrilling encounter, killed Cranes’ fighting spirit with players resorting to rough play. Television replays showed three Rwandan strikers in an offside position. Cranes that scored first through Alex Isabirye at one moment trailed the hosts who netted two goals in a space of two minutes. The defence of Mike Juuko, Francis Gonzaga, Richard Malinga and Nestroy Kizito lacked cordination. Juuko and his skipper Sam Kawalya were involved in a bitter exchange of words at one time when the goalie blamed his defender for poor marking. Roving midfielder Eric Nshimiyimana equalised for Rwanda with a header in the 26th minute from a free kick on the right. Muhayimana headed in the second immediately from another free kick taken from the same spot. Isabirye with five goals, levelled matters on resumption after rounding off four defenders. The match looked destined for extra time until the controversial goal. Kenya and Tanzania have also expressed concern over the refereeing standards. Officials who talked to The New Vision accused referees of targeting teams from East Africa. “It seems the results have been predetermined and some people know which team must take this year’s trophy,” one official said. ends