CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup 2019
Semi-final 1: Kenya 1-4 Eritrea
Semi-final 2: Uganda 1-0 Tanzania
Uganda Cranes will face Eritrea in the final of the 2019 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup at the Lugogo Stadium in Kampala on Thursday.
This was confirmed after the two semi-final matches played on Tuesday, 17th December 2019.
Eritrea knocked out defending champions Kenya 4-1 in the early kick off.
Oscar Wamalwa (own goal), Abel Solomon Okbay, Michael Habte Gebremesqel and Robel Kidane found the goals for Eritrea.
Wamalwa scored the consolation for Kenya.
Hosts Uganda progressed to the finals after overcoming Tanzania 1-0 with the winning goal coming from striker Fahad Bayo in the 86th minute.
That said, Kenya and Tanzania, the two losing semi-finalists will now battle for third place.
Both Kenya and Tanzania faced off in the group stages with Kenya winning 1-0 during a physical group B contest.
Thursday’s final between Uganda and Eritrea will also be a repeat of the group A contest where Uganda won 2-0.
Addressing the media in the official post match press conference, Uganda Cranes head coach Johnathan McKinstry saluted the fighting spirit of his charges as keenly eyes the final as a golden opportunity to win the silverware.
‘I salute the players for the strong mentality shown and great fighting spirit in all the matches played. We need to work together as we look forward the final against Eritrea. We need to win it’ McKinstry stated.
Coming to the 2019 final, Uganda Cranes will be eyeing their 15th title since 1926, the founding year of the tournament, arguably the oldest championship on the entire African continent.
Team Line Ups:
Uganda Cranes XI: Charles Lukwago (GK), Paul Willa, Mustafa Kizza, John Revita, Halid Lwaliwa, Shafiq Kagimu, Bright Anukani, Allan Okello, Joachim Ojera (70′ Abdul Karim Watambala), Fahad Bayo, Ben Ocen (55′ Viane Ssekajugo)
Subs Not Used: Joel Mutakubwa (G.K), Musitafa Mujuzi, Paul Mbowa, Nicolas Kasozi, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Steven Mukwala, Joel Madondo
Head coach: Johnathan McKinstry (Northern Ireland)
Tanzania XI: Aishi Salum Manula (G.K, 31′ Boniface Mnata Metacha), Hassan Salehe Dilunga, Nickson Clement Kibabage, Juma Abdul Jafari Mnyamani, Gadiel Michael Kamagi, Ditram Nchimbi Adgan, Eleuter Herman Mpepo, Bakari Mwamyeto Nondo, Patrick Kelvin Yondani, Yassin Said Mzamiru, Jonas Gerald Mkunde
Subs Not Used: Robert Mapigano David (G.K), Gamba Baraka Majogoro, Lucas Almeida Kikoti, Paul John Nonga, Cleophace Mkandla, Salehe Gereza Mwaita, Mohammed Hussein Mohammed
Head Coach: Juma Mgunda (Tanzania)
Match Officials:
Center Referee: Diraneh Gueidi (Djibouti)
Assistant Referee 1: Suleiman Bashir (Somalia)
Assistant Referee 2: Liban Abdurazak (Djibouti)
Fourth official: Omar Abdoulkadir (Somalia)
Assessor: Jean Claude Birimushau (Burundi)
Commissioner: Othman Suleiman (Zanzibar)
General Coordinator: Amir Hassan (Somalia)
Media Officer: Shaffi Abokar (Somalia)
Technical Study Group: Daniel Yohannes (Eritrea)
