Uganda vs Rwanda again

In the recent past regional football clashes involving Uganda and Rwanda have come to be dubbed as the region’s most sought after regional derby.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Results
Kenya 1-1 Uganda
Uganda wins on 4-2 penalties
Rwanda 0-0 Zanzibar
Rwanda wins on 5-4 penalties

Today
Live on GTV
Semi-final
Burundi v Sudan-3pm

In the recent past regional football clashes involving Uganda and Rwanda have come to be dubbed as the region’s most sought after regional derby.

And God has answered the football fans prayers with yet another mouth-watering GTV Cecafa semi-final tie after both teams advanced yesterday via the dreaded spot kicks.

Uganda ousted bitter rivals Kenya 4-2 after the ninety minutes ended 1-1 while Rwanda won 5-4 against 1995 winners Zanzibar as normal time ended 0-0.  Both countries who were in Group B have qualified to face each other in the semi-finals.

Uganda had defeated Rwanda in the group stages 2-0 and a fierce battle is expected to mount in Dar es Salaam on tomorrow.

Caesar Okuti pulled a 23rd minute strike from a formidable combination with Hassan Bajope which was created by Dan Wagaluka from a free-kick.
Harambee Stars’ defender, Collins Ochieng and central defender Edgar Ochieng had their shots blocked by second choice custodian Hamza Muwonge in the late minutes of the first half.

However, that was not enough to scare the solid and compact defensive make-up of the Cranes team made up of Andy Mwesigwa and Mussa Docca.

The Harambee stars proved their return in the 77th minute equalizer courtesy of Allan Wanga’s rebound after Muwonge had saved Jamal Mohammed’s shot. Simeon Masaba, Dan Wagaluka, Godfrey Katerega and Caesar Okuti converted the penalties for Cranes while Philip Ssozi failed to convert for Cranes.

John Njoroge, Kevin Ochieng, converted the penalties for Harambe Stars as Allan Wanga and Monday Osborne failed to score the spot kicks.

Rwanda overcame the pressure that was mounted by Zanzibar defeating the Indian Ocean island 5-4 penalties after full time had ended in a goalless draw.
Ismail Nshutinamagara, Manfred Kizito, Elias Ntaganda, Olivier Karekezi and Mutesa Mafisango converted the penalties for Amavubi team as Zanzibar’s penalties were scored by Abdullah Juma, Hussein Rashid, Khamis Meha, and Ahmed Ali while Abdi Kassim failed to score.

Despite playing to a goalless draw, Amavubi dominated the game with sleek football. 
Rwanda had Olivier Karekezi a goal disallowed for off-side. 

The Zanzibar’s keeper Amid Farund was at his best to deny Rwanda on several occasions.

Meanwhile, Burundi takes on the rampant and on-form Sudan in the semi-finals of this lucrative Cecafa Cup today.

Burundi have never won any silverware since its entry into the regional body in 1995 but they were runner-ups to Ethiopia during the 2004 Cecafa edition which was hosted in Addis Ababa. They lost 2-1to hosts Ethiopia in that edition.

"My players are sick but I must prepare my team to battle anyone who will make it to the semi-finals. If I happen to get any of my recovered players, then that will be luck for my team,” Sudan coach Amrouch said on Monday after eliminating Eritrea in the quarter-finals.

Burundi players who are out include;  Allain Ndizeye, Karim Nizigiwimana, Jean Paul Haburugika, Abdallah Irambona, Suleiman Ndikumana and Abu Ndayisenga.
Sudan are fielding a second-string team.

LINE-UPS THAT STARTED:
AMAVUBI: JC Ndoli, Elias Ntaganda, Donatien Tuyizeye, Ismail Nshutinamagara, Aloua Gaseruka, Mutesa Mafisango, Eric Gasana, Jean Baptista Mugiraneza, Haruna Niyonzima, Bokota Labama and Olivier Karekezi.

ZANZIBAR: Farnuk Ranadh, Amri Amib,Mauid Mussa,Hussein Rashid,Salmin Mohamed,Soud Abdullah,Mohammed Salum, Abdullad Juma, Murtal Ahmad, Said Mohamed and Khamis Meha.
Ends