By Clarissee Uwimana in Rwanda,
Uganda Cranes has lost 2-0 to Rwanda’s National Football team, the Amavubi Stars, but they win the tie 3-2 on aggregate.
Rwanda took just two minutes to get the opener courtesy of Yannick Mukunzi, and Thierry Manzi doubled the lead just 15 minutes into the game.
The scoreline remained unchanged at the break.
Martin Kiiza was brought on at the hourmark as the Cranes tried to regain control of the midfield, before Muzamir Mutyaba paved way for Paul Mucureezi ten minutes later on as the boys held on for a 2-0 loss.
The overall victory means that Uganda Cranes will be among the 16 Nations that will participate in the 2018 CHAN tournament to be held in Kenya.
Surviving a Shocker
Uganda Cranes survived what would be their biggest shocker in the country’s footballing history when they held on to protect their 3 goal cushion they took to Kigali for the second leg.
Following Interim Coach Moses Basena’s 3-0 First leg victory against Rwanda at St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende, it looked like it was a job done even before the second leg in Kigali.
Rwanda went into the return leg needing 4-0 to qualify or at least score 3 unanswered goals to force extra time (shoot-outs eventually, if it remained tied).
The 2018 CHAN Tournament in Kenya
The 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN 2018), in its 5th edition, is a biennial football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), exclusively featuring players from the respective national championships.
It will be hosted by Kenya, and is scheduled to take place between January 11 and February 2, 2018.
DR Congo are the defending champions.
Uganda joins Libya, Morocco, Equatorial Guinea, Zambia, Cameroon and Kenya among the 16 teams to have qualified, with the later qualifying as hosts.
Teams used
Rwanda Amavubi Stars
Ndayishimye Eric, Manzi Thierry, kayumba Sorter, Iradukunda Eric (Mugisha Gilbert 84’), Bizimana DJihad, Mukunzi Yannick, Imanishimwe Emmanuel, Muhire Kevin, Biramairwe Abeddy, Nshuti savio Dominique, Nsabi!ana Aimable (Nshuti Innocent 62’)
Unused Substitutes
Nzarora Marcel, Mutsinzi Ange, Muwandimwe Jm Vianney, Niyonzimana Olivier and Nshimyimana Amran.
Uganda Cranes
Isma Bin Abdul Watenga (G.K), Nico Wakiro Wadada, Isaac Muleme, Timothy Dennis Awany, Paul Musamali, Benard Muwanga (Captain), Milton Karisa (Erisa Ssekisambu 90+), Moses Waiswa (Martin Kiiza 60’), Muzamiru Mutyaba (Paul Mucureezi 70’), Derrick Nsibambi, Shafik Kagimu.
Unused Substitutes
Benjamin Ochan, Simon Serunkuuma, Deus Bukenya and Tom Masiko
