By Brian Bariyo Tumuramye
Allan Okello grabbed the headlines as Uganda defeated Somalia 2-0 in the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup on Monday.
The playmaker scored both goals in the game that was played at the StarTimes Stadium in Lugogo.
Okello capitalized on Cranes’ dominance early in the game, seeing a goal-bound strike deflected into the back of the net 27 minutes into the first half, he had two chances but instead shot weakly at the goalie while in the second half, his goal bound was cleared off the line
Coach Jonathan McKinstry made two changes to the starting eleven with Joachim Ojera and Joel Madondo handed starting roles ahead of Ben Ocen and Viane Ssekajugo.
Ssekajugo later came on as well as Nicholas Kasozi and Karim Watambala who also made appearances on the day as substitutes.
Okello was one of 9 players who retained their starting slots from the team that had defeated Burundi on Saturday.
Ocen and Sekajugo were dropped to the bench for Monday’s game with Madondo and Ojera handed roles from the start.
Fahad Bayo shot weakly at the Somali goalkeeper before having a goal bound effort cleared off the line; Madondo also saw an effort go just wide off the target in the first half.
The victory on Monday ensured Uganda tightens their grip on top spot in Group A with a perfect six points from two games.
McKinstry’s side next face Eritrea and Djibouti respectively in their last two group games.
The other game played on Monday saw Eritrea edge Burundi 1-0 to move onto four points from two games.
Tuesday will see Tanzania taking on Zanzibar while Kenya faces Sudan. Uganda remain in charge of Group A with six points out of two games followed by Eritrea who beat Burundi 1-0 in the earlier game of the day.
Action continues today, Tuesday with Kenya facing Sudan while Tanzania takes on rivals Zanzibar at Lugogo Startimes Stadium.
