Cecafa Kagame Cup: Mukura in danger of early exit, Rayon through to quarter-finals

Tuesday Group A Mazembe 1-0 KMC Rayon 2-0 Atlabara Group B Mukura 2-2 Bandari Azam 0-1 KCCA RWANDA’s Mukura are on the brink of premature exit from the 2019 Cecafa Kagame Cup following their 2-2 draw against Kenyan side Mbandari on Tuesday. The Huye-based side are struggling to make it out of Group B having also dropped points in their opener on Sunday, in a 1-0 defeat at the hands of two-time reigning champions Azam FC, of Tanzania. All Pool B matches are hosted at Huye Stadium, and Mukura wind up their group campaign against Uganda’s KCCA on Friday. The latter, who beat Azam 1-0 on Tuesday, top the table with four points. During their 2-all draw, Mukura’s goals came from Saleh Nyirinkindi and Evode Ntwali, while Shabaan Kenga and Yema Muama scored for Bandari. Should Mukura fail to win against KCCA, they will bow out of the tournament, while a win will allow them a chance to advance depending on the result between Bandari and Azam. Holders Azam are second-placed with three points, Bandari are third with two points, while Mukura are bottom with a solitary point. Ulimwengu powers Rayon to quarter-finals Striker Jules Ulimwengu scored in either half as Rayon Sports ran 2-0 victors over South Sudan side Atlabara on Tuesday, at Kigali Stadium, to secure their spot in the quarter-finals. With his superb double – in the 17th and 79th minute, respectively – Ulimwengu leads the top-scorers’ chart of the tournament with three goals, having also netted the lone goal that sank TP Mazembe on Sunday. He could have scored two more goals but his clear-cut chances in the 37th and 6st minutes were denied by Atlabara goalie Daniel Khamis. Earlier, left-back Jean Claude Iranzi had also come close to opening the scoring in the 11th minute but brilliant Khamis thwarted his effort. In same group, TP Mazembe beat KMC 1-0 to earn their first three points. Rayon, who face KMC in their final group match Saturday, lead the table with a maximum six points, Mazembe are second with three, while KMC and Atlabara are third and fourth, respectively, with once point apiece. editor@newtimesrwanda.com