Ugandans spur Rwanda's APR
SC Villa and Express failed to go past the preliminaries of the just ended Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations 30th club championship (Kagame Cup) but ambassadors Manfred Kizito, Francis Gonzaga and James Odoch kept the Uganda flag high.<br>
By Wangwe Mulakha
in Kigali
Cup Final
APR $30,000 (sh60m)
Ulinzi $20,00
Kiyovu $10,000
SC Villa and Express failed to go past the preliminaries of the just ended Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations 30th club championship (Kagame Cup) but ambassadors Manfred Kizito, Francis Gonzaga and James Odoch kept the Uganda flag high.
While Kizito inspired Rwanda army team APR to its first ever victory after years of trying, Gonzaga and Odoch were vital pillars in the win on Sunday.
Gonzaga was solid in defence while Odoch had great runs on the left wing before he was substituted as APR routed fellow military team Ulinzi of Kenya 3-1 in the final.
Rwanda President Paul Kagame, who sponsored the tournament now named after him, watched most games.
The performances of Kizito, Gonzaga and Odoch throughout the tournament excited FUFA and CECAFA president Denis Obua.
The trio will be part of Uganda Cranes squad that has started preparations for the forthcoming 2006 World Cup/Nations Cup qualifiers.
“Leaving out captains of a winning club would be suicidal. The boys are winning games for APR in the region and on the continent,†said Obua.
APR recently ejected Egyptian giants Zamalek in the Africa Champions League.
APR next hosts Africa Sport of Ivory Coast in the first leg of the next round.
APR had a good run in the championship and won the title without losing a game. They suffered only one draw, a 1-all duel, at the hands of the team they beat in final on Sunday.
Ulinzi, making their debut on the regional scene is a team to watch. It performed perfectly well against a team commanding thousands of supporters in the stands including the host president. The Kenyans took the lead through Sammy Simiyu.
APR, who usually make a slow start, were brought back into the game by matchmaker Olivier Karekezi.
But it was that danger man, Jimmy Gatete, who bombarded the Kenyan side with two extra great goals.
A great tournament, a great end.
in Kigali
Cup Final
APR $30,000 (sh60m)
Ulinzi $20,00
Kiyovu $10,000
SC Villa and Express failed to go past the preliminaries of the just ended Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations 30th club championship (Kagame Cup) but ambassadors Manfred Kizito, Francis Gonzaga and James Odoch kept the Uganda flag high.
While Kizito inspired Rwanda army team APR to its first ever victory after years of trying, Gonzaga and Odoch were vital pillars in the win on Sunday.
Gonzaga was solid in defence while Odoch had great runs on the left wing before he was substituted as APR routed fellow military team Ulinzi of Kenya 3-1 in the final.
Rwanda President Paul Kagame, who sponsored the tournament now named after him, watched most games.
The performances of Kizito, Gonzaga and Odoch throughout the tournament excited FUFA and CECAFA president Denis Obua.
The trio will be part of Uganda Cranes squad that has started preparations for the forthcoming 2006 World Cup/Nations Cup qualifiers.
“Leaving out captains of a winning club would be suicidal. The boys are winning games for APR in the region and on the continent,†said Obua.
APR recently ejected Egyptian giants Zamalek in the Africa Champions League.
APR next hosts Africa Sport of Ivory Coast in the first leg of the next round.
APR had a good run in the championship and won the title without losing a game. They suffered only one draw, a 1-all duel, at the hands of the team they beat in final on Sunday.
Ulinzi, making their debut on the regional scene is a team to watch. It performed perfectly well against a team commanding thousands of supporters in the stands including the host president. The Kenyans took the lead through Sammy Simiyu.
APR, who usually make a slow start, were brought back into the game by matchmaker Olivier Karekezi.
But it was that danger man, Jimmy Gatete, who bombarded the Kenyan side with two extra great goals.
A great tournament, a great end.