Friday December 20, 2019
KAMPALA, Dec. 19(Xinhua) -- Uganda Cranes won their 15th regional CECAFA senior Challenge Cup title after a 3-0 win over Eritrea in the final here on Thursday.
Bright Anukani gave the hosts the lead after 31 minutes with a low shot.
The Eritrean side continued to dictate the pace of the game, but the Ugandan defenders stood firm as the first half ended 1-0 at the StareTimes Stadium, Lugogo.
In the second half, Mustafa Kizza and substitute Joel Mudondo added two more goals for Uganda Cranes. Eritrea's captain Robel Michael Tekle together with Ali Suleman Ibrahim came close thrice, but found Uganda's goalkeeper Charles Lukwago up to the task.
"I am happy that the boys have worked hard and won the trophy. It is a good tournament we have used to prepare for the 2020 Africa Nations Championship because we have won all the five games," said Uganda Cranes coach Jonathan McKinstry after the game.
Eritrea's coach Efrem Haile Alemseghed said although they lost he was happy that they finished second in the regional tournament for the first time. Uganda Cranes also beat Eritrea 2-0 in the Group stage of the tournament.
In the earlier play-off game Kenya beat Tanzania 2-1 to finish third. Kenneth Muguna and Hassan Abdallah scored for the Harambee Stars of Kenya, while Gadiel Michael Kamagi converted a second half penalty for Tanzania.
The regional tournament featured Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Eritrea, Somalia, Djibouti, Sudan, Burundi and Zanzibar.