Cranes secure 14th Cecafa title

Addis Ababa. Uganda Cranes have won their 14th title Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup at the Addis Ababa national stadium in Ethiopia after a hard fought 1-0 victory over neighbors, Rwanda yesterday.

Burly forward, Ceasar Okhuti, who features for Express Football club headed home the all important goal in the 15th minute off a well curled effort from the industrious right back, Denis Okot.

The two sides hustled and puffed throughout the game but the game’s most important statistic remained static. Murushid Jjuko brought down Jaques Tuyisenge on the far right but the resultant free kick was played wide of goal.

Moments later Uganda Cranes who have a perfect record against Rwanda in the finals went ahead through Ceasar Okhuti’s powerfully executed free header at the far post off a perfect cross from right back Denis Okot.

Birthday boy, Joseph Ochaya, creative midfield gem Muzamir Mutyaba and the man of the moment, Ceasar Okhuti had a great day at office Rwanda’s defense on the left in the opening half. Farouk Miya had a chance to double Uganda’s lead in the fortieth minute but his free header off another perfect Denis Okot cross went over the bar.

Uganda’s coach, Micho made a change early in the second half.

Okhuti who hit the post in the follow through after scoring made way for left back Isaac Muleme.

There was a scare moment for Uganda in the 55th minute when Miya after a collision lay unconscious for some moments before medics followed by Uganda’s head coach, Micho quickly rushed in to arrest the situation.

Benard Muwanga was booked in the process for a bitter protestation before the Ugandan skipper returned 5 minutes later.

Ten minutes later, Ivan Ntege had a 30 yard effort parried away by the goalie and Miya shoot high of the goal posts. Rwanda tried to push for the equalizer and tackled hard in frustration as time ran out.

Winger Erisa Ssekisambu, who had a quite second half and it was not surprise he paved way fellow Vipers’ teammate Kezironi Kizito with 19 minutes left on the clock.

Kizito did some good work on the right to set up Miya in the 7 yards but the skipper couldn’t connect on the glorious ball from his Vipers teammate.

With two minutes of the added three after 90 minutes, Frank Kalanda came on for Muzamir Mutyaba to kill off some seconds of the added time and it wasn’t long before Somalian FIFA referee, Hassan Muhammed called for full time much to the wild jubilations from the Ugandan contingent.

This is Uganda’s fourth victory over Rwanda in the Cecafa finals.(Kawowo)