Gutsy Zanzibar book final date with Kenya

Kisumu. For the first time since 1995, Zanzibar Heroes will play in the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup final after a hard-fought 2-1 win over defending champions Uganda Cranes during the second semifinal played at Moi Stadium in Kisumu County yesterday.

Zanzibar will face Kenya in the final slated for Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos County tomorrow with the winner bagging $30,000 (about Sh66.6 million) while the runners-up will walk away with $20 000 (Sh44.4 million).

In the year 1995, Zanzibar edged hosts Uganda 1-0 to win their first ever regional championship and yesterday’s semifinal was a repeat of the two teams meeting.

Abdul-Aziz Makame shot the Heroes ahead with a close range tap in from Yahya Mudathir corner kick in the 23rd minute. A minute earlier, Ibrahim Hamad’s low shot had been palmed out by Isma Watenga in Uganda goal resulting to the corner. Derrick Nsibambi levelled matters by slotting home Allan Kyambadde cross from the right flank in the 29th minute.

Uganda coach Moses Basena, noticing a weak link in his defence withdrew Shaffiq Bakaki for Joseph Nsubuga. The latter, who thought to have come in to salvage the situation turned villain in the 56th minute warranting a sendoff.

The towering defender brought down Ibrahim Hamad who had been broken through on goal from a counter forcing the Rwandese referee Twagirumukiza AK to slap him with a straight red card.

Issa Juma took responsibility to plant the ball past Watenga as the Zanzibar players and bench went in a frenzy.

Basena introduced Allan Katerrega and Nelson Senkatuka for Muzamir Mutyaba and Kyambadde in the 59th and 69th minutes to press for an equalizer.

Nsibambi’s header in the 77th minute off a speedy Milton Kalisa pinpoint cross went wide. The Vipers winger was a menace to Zanzibar defenders with his pace and dribbling skills troubling Adeyum Seif.

Uganda pressed pulling strings one after the other but Zanzibar led by goalkeeper Abdurahman Mohamed kept calm waiting for the final whistle.