Kenya: Ulinzi to Play El Merreikh in Cecafa Quarters

3 July 2011

Nairobi — Ulinzi Stars of Kenya romped into the quarter-finals of the Cecafa Kagame Castle Cup after holding defending champions APR of Rwanda to a goalless draw in Morogoro on Saturday.

The Kenyan champions, who pelted Ports of Djibouti 9-0 and drew with St. George of Ethiopia 1-1, now have a date with El Merreikh of Sudan in the first quarter-final on Tuesday.

Ulinzi, who lost to APR in the final of the same championship in Rwanda in 2007, were lucky after APR lost a penalty in the first half. Ulinzi will also represent Kenya at the World Military Games later this month in Brazil.

The Kenyans were later reduced to 10 men when Antony Nderitu was sent for dissent. But despite the deficit, Ulinzi still managed to hang on and sail through.

Earlier in Morogoro, St. George of Ethiopia reached the last eight with a 7-0 victory over whipping boys Ports of Djiboti.In Dar es Salaam, Yanga excited their roaring fans with a delightful 3-2 win over newcomers Bunamwaya of Uganda in an explosive showdown.

Yanga had a 2-0 first half lead cancelled dramatically in the second half and the popular Dar club lived dangerously for most of the second half.

It looked as if they could be eliminated until deep into the injury time when they clinched the winner.

Ugandan import Hamis Kiiza swept Yanga into the lead with a spectacular 27th minute blast and five minutes before the break, Rashid Gumbo sent the Dar stadium into a delirium with a cracker.

Bunamwaya, roared on by Yanga’s rivals Simba SC supporters, found their rythm in the second half and two well executed goals by Owen Kasule (61st and 76th) restored parity.

Yanga then grabbed the winner in the 92nd minute when Zambian striker Davis Mwape utilised half a chance to beat Hamza Muwonge in goal with a rising shot.

Earlier in Dar, El Merreikh pelted Elman of Somalia 3-0 to reach the quarter finals.

AllAfrica – All the Time