Uganda dump out Rwanda to book CECAFA U18 final slot

By Emmanuel Sekago

Aboubakar Mayanja’s goal in  second half was enough for Uganda semifinal victory to dump out Rwanda at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium 1-0, on Tuesday to book a ticket to the finals of the 2023 CECAFA U18 Championship.
Uganda were playing with much pace with the attacking pair of Travis Mutyaba and Richard Okello causing problems for the Rwandan back four.

The major chance of the first half fell to Mutyaba in the 32nd minute as the young attacker beat Abdoul Niyigena to the ball but saw his strike saved by shot stopper Yvan Ruhamyanyiko without whom Rwanda could have conceded at least two goals before the half time break.

The Rwandan shot stopper was at it again in the 36th minute as he saved Okello’s effort.
Kayiranga’s men launched a quick counter attack in the 40th minute but the Ugandans tracked back and recovered. Both sides created some dangerous chances but neither managed to break the deadlock as the first half ended goalless.

Uganda and Rwanda  made changes to beef up their attack after the break. Uganda brought on Ssembatya Ssonko for Ronald Kaye, whereas Rwanda also had Jean Paul Irakoze for Pascal Iradukunda.

Uganda bombarded their penalty area. Abasi Kyeyune hit a shot inside the 18-yard box which Ruhamyanyiko saved but his defenders failed to clear the danger only for Aboubakar Mayanja to poke in the rebound to give Uganda a 1-0 lead as Rwandan defenders went to sleep in the 56th minute.

Uganda pinned Rwanda to their own half during the last 10 minutes of the match the young goalkeeper remained the wall in the goal, first denying Hakim Mutebi with a fabulous save in the 82nd minute before saving Aboubakar Mayanja’s goal bound strike three minutes later to keep the scores at 1-0.

Uganda never ceased to attack despite leading the scores but Rwanda chose to defend to avoid conceding more goals while at the same building on counter attacks until the referee blew his final whistle with a 1-0 victory in favor of Uganda.

In the other semi final match, host Kenya qualified for the CECAFA U18 finals  after beating Tanzania 4-3 on post-match penalties. The two sides had played to a barren draw after extra time during the entertaining semi final dual played at the Jomo Kenyatta stadium in Kisumu.
Uganda will take on  neighbours  Kenya  at the finals  on Friday  at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium.