Cranes storm CECAFA semi-finals
Dec 08, 2010
UGANDA Cranes secured a semi-final date against hosts Tanzania yesterday after dumping Zanzibar with a 5-3 shoot-out victory in an aggressive and physical quater-final match.
By Abdallah Mubiru
in Dar es Salaam
CECAFA CUP CHAMPIONSHIP
Quarter-final results
Uganda 2 (5) Zanzibar 2(4)
Tanzania 1 Rwanda 0
Friday: Semi-finals
I. Coast v Ethiopia 2pm
Uganda v Tanzania 4pm
Sunday: Final
UGANDA Cranes secured a semi-final date against hosts Tanzania yesterday after dumping Zanzibar with a 5-3 shoot-out victory in an aggressive and physical quater-final match.
Coach Bobby Williamson’s side which had marched into the knock-out game without their inspirational captain Andrew Mwesigwa, was forced into a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes.
But Emma Okwi, who had earlier in the game given Cranes a vital second goal, held his nerves before slotting home Uganda’s match-winning spot-kick.
Isaac Isinde, Sadam Juma, Tony Mawejje, Godfrey Walusimbi converted four spot kicks after Cranes goalkeeper Robert Odongkara had saved Zanzibar’s Aggrey Morris’ kick.
It was a fair reward for the Cranes who had taken a 12th minute lead through Mike Sserumagga.
The Bunamwaya midfielder put the Cranes ahead with a low left-footed shot to beat Mwadin Ali Mwadin in the Zanzibar goal after being put through by Okwi.
Zanzibar then began to raise momentum, with Cranes midfielders Mawejje and Mude Musa being overwhelmed by Zanzibar’s short-passing game.
The reward was the equalizer on 38 minutes after Khamis Mcha Khamis managed to sneak in a beautiful free kick that caught the entire Cranes side by surprise.
However, Zanzibar’s seemingly impenetrable defence, also seemed to struggle under Cranes counter-attacking play —one of which earned Uganda a breakthrough.
Emma Okwi converted a penalty in the 48th minute after a foul on Steven Bengo.
Unfortunately, the Cranes defence continued to give away avoidable set pieces and that cost them in the 87th minute when Gulam Abdulghani scored Zanzibar’s equalizer this time heading in from Sadala’s free kick.
“To be among the four best (teams) in the CECAFA for the third consecutive time, there are no words for that,†star midfielder Bengo said after the game.
in Dar es Salaam
CECAFA CUP CHAMPIONSHIP
Quarter-final results
Uganda 2 (5) Zanzibar 2(4)
Tanzania 1 Rwanda 0
Friday: Semi-finals
I. Coast v Ethiopia 2pm
Uganda v Tanzania 4pm
Sunday: Final
UGANDA Cranes secured a semi-final date against hosts Tanzania yesterday after dumping Zanzibar with a 5-3 shoot-out victory in an aggressive and physical quater-final match.
Coach Bobby Williamson’s side which had marched into the knock-out game without their inspirational captain Andrew Mwesigwa, was forced into a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes.
But Emma Okwi, who had earlier in the game given Cranes a vital second goal, held his nerves before slotting home Uganda’s match-winning spot-kick.
Isaac Isinde, Sadam Juma, Tony Mawejje, Godfrey Walusimbi converted four spot kicks after Cranes goalkeeper Robert Odongkara had saved Zanzibar’s Aggrey Morris’ kick.
It was a fair reward for the Cranes who had taken a 12th minute lead through Mike Sserumagga.
The Bunamwaya midfielder put the Cranes ahead with a low left-footed shot to beat Mwadin Ali Mwadin in the Zanzibar goal after being put through by Okwi.
Zanzibar then began to raise momentum, with Cranes midfielders Mawejje and Mude Musa being overwhelmed by Zanzibar’s short-passing game.
The reward was the equalizer on 38 minutes after Khamis Mcha Khamis managed to sneak in a beautiful free kick that caught the entire Cranes side by surprise.
However, Zanzibar’s seemingly impenetrable defence, also seemed to struggle under Cranes counter-attacking play —one of which earned Uganda a breakthrough.
Emma Okwi converted a penalty in the 48th minute after a foul on Steven Bengo.
Unfortunately, the Cranes defence continued to give away avoidable set pieces and that cost them in the 87th minute when Gulam Abdulghani scored Zanzibar’s equalizer this time heading in from Sadala’s free kick.
“To be among the four best (teams) in the CECAFA for the third consecutive time, there are no words for that,†star midfielder Bengo said after the game.