Cranes win

Nov 27, 2006

SIMEON Masaba struck from the spot with three minutes to time to give Uganda Cranes deserved maximum points in the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup here last night.

By Douglas Mazune
in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Burundi 3 Zambia 2
Somalia 0 Rwanda 3
Uganda 2 Sudan 1
Sunday
Djibouti 0 Malawi 3
Burundi 3 Zambia 2

Today
Malawi v Tanzania 4:00pm
Djibouti v Ethiopia 6:00pm

Tomorrow
Zanzibar v Burundi 4:00pm

SIMEON Masaba struck from the spot with three minutes to time to give Uganda Cranes deserved maximum points in the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup here last night.

The Cranes won the penalty after substitute Tony Odur was brought down in the box in the entertaining match that had seemed destined for a stalemate.

Uganda, that displayed a flowing game, dominated the first half but got punished for not taking their chances when the Sudanese scored from their first full chance on the stroke on halftime.

Ahmed Mugahid powered in a ground shot off a free-kick from the right flank, sparking off wild celebration for a noisy group of Sudanese in the pavilion.

Cranes coach Laszlo Csaba brought on Geoffrey Sserunkuma at re-start and reverted to the traditional 4-4 2 formation.

Sserunkuma salvaged Uganda’s pride with a 77th minute equaliser. Cranes started with a 4-3-3 formation.

When Masaba netted the winner the hitherto jubilant Sudanese fans started hauling insults as they walked out.

Csaba hailed his boys.
“I am very happy with the boys for maintaining the fighting spirit and confidence even after we went down 1-0. They did not panic at all. Sudan is a good team and they were lucky to convert first chance.” Csaba said.

Earlier in the day, St. George caused a scare in the Cranes camp when they refused to release skipper Hannington Kalyesubula and Sserunkuma passports. They argued that FUFA had never communicated to the club seeking the release of the players. Assist coach Polly Ouma solved the issue.

Meanwhile, Rwanda started its title defence with a 3-0 victory over Somalia.

Yusuf Kayihura, Robert Ujeneza and Haruna Ndiyonzima were on the mark for Rwanda.

Cranes lineup:
Kalyesubula, Masaba, Segawa, Wasswa, Malinga, Kasule,
Wagaluka (Sserunkuma), Bagoole, Bongole (Odur), Kayizzi and Kadogo (Nsumba)

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