By Denis Turyahebwa
The Uganda Cubs on Tuesday 22nd December 2020 thumped Tanzania 3-1 to be crowned the tournament winners in the U-17 CECAFA championship finals held in Rwanda at Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu district.
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Ivan Irinimbazi broke the deadlock in the 63rd to put Uganda in the lead before Travis Mutyaba doubled the lead in the 80th minute. Nine minutes later, Tanzania made a lethal counter-attack and the Cubs defender Muleme failed to clear but instead put the ball in his own net to make it 2-1 before Ibrahim Juma scored the third from the spot for Uganda in the dying minutes of the game.
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Following a shy goalless first half, the Cubs came into the second half with a changed game plan, lethal transitions with a target of getting an early goal which yielded with Irinimbazi’s goal in the 63rd.
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Despite Cubs retaining the championship, they will be heading to the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next year. Tanzania will also join Uganda in AFCON despite losing the final. meanwhile, Ethiopia finished third after beating Djibouti 5-2.
Uganda has this year won both the U-17 and U-20 CECAFA championships which has excited many Ugandans hoping that this will be the start of a golden generation.
