By Brian Bariyo Tumuramye
Uganda Cranes reached the semi-finals of the 2019 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup after a victory of 2-0 to Eritrea.
Nicholas Kasozi and Mustafa Kizza scored in the second half to break Eritreans’ resilience.
However, Johnathan McKinstry made 9 changes to the team that had won 2-0 against Somalia on Monday and started eleven with Steven Mukwala, Paul Mbowa, Joel Mutakubwa and Abdul Karim Watambala.
After fifteen minutes of the second half Kasozi put Cranes to a led when his attempt from over 25 yards found a slight deflection into the net.
Kasozi opened the scoring in the 58th minute with a ferocious strike that somehow found its way into the back of the net despite Eritrea’s custodian Solomun Kibrom initially seeming to have taken care of it.
Cranes won a penalty after Kibrom fell the opposite way from the penalty spot which Kizza converted and sealed the contest, putting the game in a safe state for Cranes.
Cranes now lead Group A with 9 points while Djibouti lie third with three points Djibouti, winners against Burundi in the first game are now second with four points Uganda finishes their group games with a game against Djibouti on Sunday.
Uganda Premier League top scorer Steven Mukwala lashed onto a Mustafa Mujuzi’s through ball but shot wide.
Late in the game, substitute Joachim Ojera shot wide after he was played in by Kizza.
Eritrea has so far been the revelation of the competition but could not find solutions to Uganda’s dominance.
Ali Suleiman also had a glorious chance to score but his lobbed effort sailed over the bar.
Uganda
Joel Mutakubwa, Musitafa Mujuzi, Mustafa Kizza, Halid Lwaliwa, Paul Mbowa, Nicolas Kasozi, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Karim Watambala, Ben Ocen, Steven Mukwala, and Viane Sekajugo
Eritrea
Kibrom Solomun, Deyben Hintsaeb, Robel Teklemicheal, Ali Suleiman Ibrahim, Sayas Abreham Goytom, Ablelom Teklezghi, Abel Okbay Solomon, Filmon Tumzghi, Michael Habte, Robel Kidane, Filmon Semere
