CECAFA U17: Uganda wallop Kenya 5-0

CECAFA U17 ZONAL AFCON QUALIFIERS

Uganda 5 Kenya 0

Oscar Mawa run riot as the Uganda U-17 humbled Kenya 5-0 in their opening game of the CECAFA zonal Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U-17 qualifiers in Rwanda on Wednesday.

Hamza Lutalo's team came into the game needing to get the three points after Ethiopia and the Kenyans had drawn the opening game.

They started the game with caution but the 7th-minute opening goal which showed Mawa's poaching instincts helped settle the nerves. From then on it was a good show of game management as Uganda fought to take control of the match.

The first half ended with that one goal which set the stage for a monstrous second half in which midfielder Travis Mutyaba came to life.

His standout runs and clever passing was the ying to Mawa's yang as Kenya failed to find a defensive solution to the pair.

The synergy within the partnership brought forth Mawa's hat trick as he showed tenacity to score in the 50th and 54th minute. At the tail end of the second half, Mutyaba made it four goals. The Ugandans continued plucking away and we're rewarded with a fifth in the 85th as Ronald Madoi wrapped up proceedings.

The Kenyans to had their moments but Abdu Magada stood tall when needed.

For their effort, Uganda has now ascended to the top of group A which had South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya. South Sudan was jettisoned from the competition after four of their players were deemed overage after they failed an MRI test.

On Friday they will go up again hoping to finish off Ethiopia and move on as group leaders. Based on their obliteration of Kenya they can do that.