Ethiopia thumped South Sudan 3-0 in their opening 2017 CECAFA Senior Challenge group B match at Bukhungu Stadium Tuesday.
In Machakos, Zanzibar stunned 2018 CHAN qualifiers Rwanda 3-1, while hosts Kenya were held to a barren draw by guests Libya at the same venue in group A matches.
Zanzibar, who were largely more organized and knocked the ball around better, took the lead in the 34th minute through Yahya Mudathir for a 1-0 lead at the interval.
Hakizimana Muhadjii responded immediately for Rwanda after the breather with the leveler in the 46th minute.
The islanders however regained the lead through Mohammed Djuma in the 52nd minute before Kassim Khamiss sealed the win with the third four minutes to regulation time.
The loss is the second for the Amavubi, who went down 2-0 to Kenya in the tournament’s opener in Kakamega Sunday.
The coach Antoine Hey’s side return to action Thursday against Libya, who grabbed their second draw against the Harambee Stars, in a must win match.
Stars regained the leadership of group A on four points followed by Zanzibar on three points with Libya coming second on two points.
Rwanda are rock bottom with no point and are as good as out of the annual regional tourney.
At Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega Ethiopia’s Walia Ibex announced their arrival with an emphatic 3-0 win over minnows South Sudan.
Wataryar Mumin turned the ball into his own net in the 26th minute for the opener that settled the game 1-0 at half time in favor of the Walias.
Yalew Tlahun doubled the lead six minutes in the second stanza with Sani Abdella making it 3-0 at the hour mark to get pressure of coach Ashenafi Bekele’s shoulders.
Ethiopia go top of group B on three points – two behind Uganda and Burundi, who played to barren draw in their opening match Monday with South Sudan bottom.
