Rwanda huffs and puffs but falls

Striker Dan Serunkuma scored the only goal as Uganda Cranes beat Rwanda’s Amavubi Stars in their group C opening match of the ongoing Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup played at Nyayo stadium in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.The dread-locked Serunkuma broke Amavubi’s back with a well-taken winner in the 89th minute to seal what was a hard fought win for the record 13-times Challenge Cup winners. The win was a sweet gift to Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin Micho Sredojevic who had a stint at Amavubi Camp as coach before he was sacked in May this year after a series of poor results.Despite getting three points in the opening match, Uganda lies second in the group, level on points with Sudan, but the later has a better goal difference after beating Eritrea 3-0 in the day’s first match.The two coaches; Eric Nshimiyimana of Rwanda and Micho approached the game in a cautious manner and it took over 15 minutes before the first attempt at goal came through. Both sides drew goalless in an international friendly played just over two weeks ago in Kampala.The Cranes upped the gear as the half progressed but with little success in breaking a well-organised Amavubi backline manned by the APR central pair of Ismail Nshutiyamagara and Emery Bayisenge.Striker Jacques Tuyishenge missed Amavubi’s first scoring chance with only Cranes’ goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan to beat.Meddie Kagere should have opened the scoring for Rwanda but opted to cross into the area when presented with an opportunity to shoot direct on goal after a good pass from the hardworking Jean Baptsite Mugiraneza.Uganda’s best opportunities of the first half fell to Geoffrey Kizito, who shot over the bar on three occasions, while Hamis Kiiza’s header off Brian Majwega’s good cross was saved by Jean Luc Ndayishimye in Rwanda’s goal for the only corner of the half.Nshimiyimana’s team started the second half strongly looking for goals with Haruna Niyonzima and Kagere combing well to set up Tuyisenge, whose half-volley hit the post.Abouba Sibomana replaced skipper Niyonzima and Amavubi started to use counter attacks using both flanks which were being operated by Hussein Ciza Mugabo on the right and Jean-Claude Iranzi on the left.Benjamin Ochan had a lot of work to save Emery Bayisenge free-kicks on the edge of the Uganda Cranes’ box after Ciza had been brought down. Rwanda appealed for a penalty but the referee awarded a free-kick instead.Rwanda will play their second game against Sudan on Monday, while Eritrea will be up against Uganda.

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Rwanda huffs and puffs but falls