DAR ES SALAAM - For the fifth year in a row the Cecafa/Kagame Cup trophy will not have a Tanzanian club’s name inscribed on it. Tanzania’s Yanga Africans were yesterday knocked out of the regional championship at the semifinal stage by four-time Champions Tusker Fc of Kenya 1-0 in a game played at National stadium Dar es Salaam. Simon Mburu was on target for the Kenyan champions in the 53rd minute to silence the yellow and Green coloured part of the stadium. The Kenyan striker took his second-half goal expertly, racing through and lifting the ball over the otherwise shakily advancing Ivo Mapunda who was replaced for the seeming excellent Juma Kaseja in Yanga’s goal. Tusker was dominant in midfield with Osborne Monday making tackles, shaping attacks, driving Tusker closer to their first silverware since the 2001 East and Central African club Championships. Dusan Kondic’s men had given everything, played exciting football at times during their odyssey through the championship, especially in defeating Miembeni in the group stage and drawing with APR, but it was not enough as they came against the Kenyan who were outside contenders. Kenyan Premier League champions reached the semi-finals after a thrilling match with Rayon Sport on Wednesday that ended in penalty shoot out 7-6 in their favour. Yanga, who have more than four experienced Taifa Stars on their team were joint favourites with city arch rivals Simba to win this year’s championship. However, the same feat that befall Yanga had befallen Simba a day before at the hands of Ugandan champions URA 1-0 in the extra time. Eric Obua was on target for the Ugandan Tax collectors while the hero of the day was goalkeeper Abel Dhaira who saved a penalty kick in the last minute of extra time to take URA into the second final in a row. Tusker faces URA in the Sunday final while Simba faces bitter rivals Yanga for the third place play off at 1pm. Yesterday’s game almost came to a premature end when Rwanda’s referee Hudu Munyemana pointed to the penalty spot after a Yanga player went down in the box at death however, he changed it to a free kick just out the box after consultations with his Ethiopian assistant. The Rwandan was at it again when he added seven minutes of injury time. Ends
