Uganda Cranes came from behind to complete a sweet revenge over hosts Tanzania and book a spot in the 2011 Cecafa challenge finals where they will meet Rwanda. Tanzania beat Uganda in last year’s final to clinch the top prize but this year the results were overturned courtesy of extra time strikes by the Ugandans.
A defensive lapse by Uganda gifted Tanzania an early minute goal through Mrisho Ngassa who beat the keeper and defender to tap into an empty net. Ramadhan Chobo had sent a long cross that Mrisho capitalized on.
Both teams created great chances but the score line stood 1-0 in favor of the hosts by the interval.
Uganda Cranes came breathing fire in the second period and were rewarded when Andrew Mwesigwa headed in a corner to make the scores even.
Several goal mouth melees marked the remaining normal time minutes.Tanzania had clear chances that never met the right target while on the opposite end keeper Juma Kaseja was doing great to keep the Ugandan striker at bay.
With the match ending 1-1 , the match had to go into extra time minutes. The first minutes belonged to the Tanzania but Uganda were the ones who utilized their chance well when Emmanel Okwi headed in a cross. This was his fourth goal in the tournament.
Isaac Isinde sealed the final spot for Uganda Cranes when he converted from the spot kick after okwi was brought down inside the box.
Rwanda 2-1 Sudan
In an earlier match at the same venue Claude Iranzi beat the offside trap to give Rwanda the lead in the 5th minute.
Sudan's Ramadhan Agab replied in the second period with an acrobatic kick that should also pass for the goal of the tournament to even the score line.
Captain Olivier Karekezi ensured safe passage for the Amavubi Stars with a clinical finish from tight angel in the 78th minute.
The final match will played on Saturday at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.Tanzania and Sudan will fight out for the 3rd place.
Like this Facebook page MICHEZOAFRIKA or follow us on Twitter @michezoafrika for timely updates