Hosts and defending champions of the ongoing CECAFA Tuskar Senoir Challnge cup ( Uganda) will meet their neighbors Kenya in what is dubbed the biggest East African derby in the regional soccer tournament.
Kenya’s Harambee Stars were the first qualify for the Cecafa Tusker Senior Challenge Cup finals after defeating Zanzibar 6 – 4 in a thrilling semi final played on Thursday at Kampala’s Nelson Mandela National stadium earlier in the day before Uganda Cranes who beat another East African opponents Tanzania 3-0.
The East African neighbors have several times in different competitions. Over the last ten years Uganda and Kenya have met 8 times with Uganda winning 5 games while Kenya once and have drawn twice.
This is the first time in two years that Kenya is playing at the regional soccer final an achievement that came after they defied all odds to stop hard – fighting Zanzibar side.
Uganda’s goals were scored by Robert Ssentongo who scored twice with , Emanuel Okwi scoring one.
Both teams played a fast paced game throughout the match with Zanzibar dominating the first half and Kenya aettling to dominate the second half.
Zanzibar should have taken lead in the 2nd minute when Jaku Juma Jaku, made a sole run on the right but fired off target. Kenya had an open chance to take lead the 10th minute but Mike Baraza shot off target a cross from Kevin Omondi .
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Khamis Mcha Khamis struck in the 20th minute after receiving a cross from Suleyman Kassim Seleyman following a mix up in the Kenya defence to give Zanzibar first goal.
But after cutting off the Zanzibar with continuous raids a good combination from Mike Baraza, Ramadhan Mohammed Salim and Clifton Miheso, forced Zanzibar’s Nadir “Canavarro” Haroub to head into his own goal in 20th minute. Half time score was 1 – 1.
On resumption both teams searched for a winner with the match looked like would go either way. Aggrey Morris Ambrose scored a 75th minute penalty after David Owino fouled a Zanzibar striker in the box to make it 2 – 1 in favour of Zanzibar. David Oin Odhimbo headed in Kenya’s equalizer in the 80th minute to level matters on 2 – 2 at full time. The 30 minutes of extra time time did not yield anything different from both sides as they made attacks and counter attacks.