Atraco in Peace Cup final

MTN Peace cup Semi-final (return leg)Atraco 3-0 Rayon Sport Overall AggregateAtraco 5-1 Rayon SportTodayMukura v APR (return leg) ATRACO reached the MTN Peace Cup final for a second straight year after yesterday’s comprehensive 3-0 semi-final return leg win over Rayon Sport at Amahoro national stadium.

Monday, July 27, 2009
MIDFIELD MAESTRO; Johnson Bagoole scored a brace against Rayon Sport yesterday. Atraco will now play either APR or Mukura in the final. (Photo F. Goodman)

MTN Peace cup
Semi-final (return leg)

Atraco 3-0 Rayon Sport

Overall Aggregate
Atraco 5-1 Rayon Sport
Today
Mukura v APR (return leg)

ATRACO reached the MTN Peace Cup final for a second straight year after yesterday’s comprehensive 3-0 semi-final return leg win over Rayon Sport at Amahoro national stadium.

After missing a host of chances, Andre Lomami put the Cecafa Club champions ahead on the 60th minute after a well directed header from a set piece taken by Atraco captain Jean Shyaka.

Hamis Kitagenda could have made it three in a space of seven minutes but missed out on some open chances which was very unlike of him.

However, Ugandan international Johnson Bagoole shattered Rayon’s hopes of a come back with a thunderous strike on the 78th minute. The Blues’ goal keeper Lawrence Webo could only watch the ball race into his net.

Five minutes from time, the midfielder scored his second and Atraco’s third after another fierce strike to send the Atraco bench into frenzy and Rayon fans trooping out of the stadium.

Atraco’s head coach Sam Timbe, who could not hide his joy at the end of the match attributed the win to the club’s decision to keep the players in camp after the Cecafa triumph.

"Since the Cecafa championship, we knew that we had a hectic schedule in the league and MTN Peace Cup so we decided to keep the players in camp and the move seems to be paying off,” he said.

"Of course it was not easy convincing them to stay away from their families but I’m glad they understood what was at stake.”

Yesterday’s result means that Atraco, who were humiliated by APR in last year’s final (1-4) progressed to this year’s final with a comfy 5-1 aggregate win in the two-legged semifinal.

It also means that Atraco’s dreams of a treble remain on course. With the Cecafa/Kagame Cup already in the bag, Sam Timbe’s troops are now chasing for the MTN Peace Cup as well as the national league title.

Atraco will now play reigning champions APR or Mukura in the final.

The defeat also means that Rayon will finish the season without silverware.

Ends