Rwanda storm Cecafa final

Cecafa Tusker Challenge Cup YesterdaySemi-finals Sudan 1-2 RwandaTanzania 1-3 Uganda RWANDA reached the final of the 2011 Cecafa Tusker Challenge Cup after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Sudan yesterday at Dar es Salaam national stadium. Jean Claude Iranzi and Olivier Karekezi scored the goals to maintain Amavubi’s 100 per cent record at the tournament. Iranzi, who was deployed on the left wing, gave Milutin Micho’s side an early lead after beating the off-side trap to fire past Sudan goal keeper Elmoiz Mahgoub inside five minutes. Sudan tried to press for an equalizer but Amavubi’s backline manned by Eric Gasana kept the desert hawks’ striking pair Ramadhan Agab and Mohammed Tahir Osman at bay to keep the score at 1-0 at half time. After the break, Sudan continued pressing and finally got their reward on the 67th minute through Agab’s acrobatic strike which was too fast for Rwanda’s number one Jean Claude Ndoli. From then, Sudan looked favourites to get the winner until Micho packed the midfielder more by bringing on Andrew Buteera for Emery Bayisenge. On the 77th minute, Karekezi netted his fifth goal of the campaign after dribbling past Amir Rabei Abdelnabi to send a fierce shot past a hapless Mahgoub. Rwanda, who are chasing for a second title, will now play Uganda Cranes in the final. The record 11-time champions beat hosts Tanzania 3-1 yesterday. Skipper Andrew Mwesigwa struck a 55th minute equaliser after Mrisho Ngassa had given the hosts the lead on 17th minute. Emmanuel Okwi and Isaac Nsinde scored the other goals. The final will be a repeat of 2009 when the Cranes emerged victors after a 2-0 win. bonnie.mugabe@newtimes.co.rw

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Rwanda storm Cecafa final