Defending Champions Uganda Cranes had to pull out their penalty scoring skills to pit Zanzibar in Wednesday’s first quarter final match in the ongoing CECAFA senior challenge cup taking place in Tanzania.
Simon Masaba scored the decisive 5th penalty to send the Uganda Cranes bench in jubilation after a committed show by Zanzibar who came from behind to draw 2-2 with Uganda at the end of the 90 minutes regulation time.
Uganda Cranes
Uganda Cranes supporters had to endure nerve testing minutes as penalties were being taken. But a first save by custodian Odongokara helped the Cranes gain an early advantage and maintained it to pit Zanzibar. The Uganda Cranes goalkeeper was less than impressive conceding two goals that a good keeper should have saved.
But the Uganda cranes defense was less than good and the absence of instrumental captain Andy Mwesigwa was hugely felt.
Uganda cranes Coach Bobby Williamson will count himself lucky to pass the quarter final stage as he got the best test to convince him of need for better efforts if Uganda is to retain the CECAFA senior challenge title.
In the humid Tanzania afternoon, the Cranes begun the match at the Benjamin Mkapa national stadium with promising display but the Zanzibar team soon settled and matched the Cranes.
Zanzibar will feel unlucky for missing their first penalty as they had tried to better their performance against Uganda Cranes who defeated them in 2009 semi-final in Nairobi 2-1, going on to win the cup after beating Kenya 1-0.
Tanzania was set to play Rwanda in the other remaining quarter final match of the day to decide the fourth team to qualify for the semi finals.
In the first two CECAFA quarter final games played yesterday, Ethiopia edged 2-1 while Ivory Coast beat Malawi 1-0.