South Sudan and Uganda were the winners of today’s Cecafa under 18 pool B matches played at the Bukhungu stadium in Kakamega County.
In the first match, South Sudan came from a goal down to beat Tanzania 2-1 against Tanzania, who beat Uganda by a solitary goal in Sunday’s opening fixture.
in their second match at the ongoing
John Misheto gave Tanzania a deserved 40th-minute lead, scoring past goalkeeper Benson Nybong.
On resumption, Ngong Garang leveled in the 70th minute by connecting Mario Taban corner before Christopher Ungom scored the winner after tapping over goalkeeper Anthony Mpemba with his left foot for the ball to roll into the empty net after receiving a pass from Daniel Dang that beat two defenders.
With the loss, the pool remains open with the two teams collecting three points from two matches.
Head coach Habibu Kondo said that as much as they lost, they still have another final pool match against Zanzibar, calling on the boys to remain committed to their course.
“We are sure of reaching the semifinals because my boys played with fatigue but we shall recover in the next game,” said Kondo.
“We had a tough weather challenge but we shall be good enough come next game.”
Winning coach James Ezekiel Ismail was elated with the victory saying that their preparations have given them good friends awaiting the final match.
“It was a well-deserving victory now that we lost in the opening match. This time, we are expecting another victory against Tanzania and march into the semifinals,” said Ismail
In the second match, Uganda were 2-1 winners against Zanzibar after later’s defender Nassor Mbarouk turned the ball in his own net to give Uganda maximum points.
Uganda, who had lost their opening match to Tanzania on Sunday managed to beat Zanzibar 2-1 in the second pool B match to increase their chances of progressing into the semifinals.
Travis Mutyaba scored first for Uganda in the 17th minute for a 1-0 lead for Moses Byekwaso Ochama from his left foot shot outside the box beating Zanzibar custodian Mohamed Abdulrasul.
At 41st minute, Moh’d Ali Moh’d scored his second goal of the tournament to level the score, giving Arqm Zubair cross with his left foot tap in the box as both teams went into water break tied 1-all.
On resumption, Zanzibar kept on knocking Ugandan door without success and on a counter attack, substitute Richard Okello’s cross was turned into the net by Mbarouk to hand Ugandans a 2-1 lead.
With Uganda winning the match, the pool remains open with all nations picking three points without a goal difference.
In the first match at the same venue, South Sudan, who lost the opening match to Zanzibar beat Tanzania 2-1.
Zanzibar head coach Ali Mohammed Ameir said that he still has a chance to improve in the next match.
“We have a chance to redeem ourselves and the loss was due to lack of concentration in the game, which happens with any team,” said Ameir.
His opponent Ochana said that the game was tough and victory is what they needed.
“This pool is open and the last game will determine the winner, therefore, our focus has now turned to the next match,” said Ochana.