Finny Muyeshi in Kigali, Rwanda

Sofapaka 3 URA 0

Kenyan champions Sofapaka got off to a good start in their Cecafa Kagame Cup Club Championship debut by beating Uganda champions Uganda Revenue Authority 3-0 at Nyamirambo Stadium in Kigali.

The goals were well worked but the third was an audacious 40-metre lob over the URA goalkeeper Eddie Kaweesa by the flambouyant Sofapaka striker Bob Mugalia in the 82^nd minute.

John Baraza, after missing three earlier chances, also lobbed over the goalie from inside the six-yard box to give the Kenyans the lead in 36^th minute.

From a throw in on the right flank, Kenya international defender Thomas Wanyama put the ball in the box to be met by the half volley of second half substitute Hugo Nzoka in the 73^rd minute for a 2-0 lead.

In a dramatic start, Sofapaka’s Abbas Akinyemi, the big Nigerian who is one of the leading scorers in the Kenyan Premier, got a fright in the second minute after a bad clash of heads with URA’s Uganda Cranes international defender Musa Doka. Both lay in pain for a couple of minutes but were able to return to play.

Then Sofapaka missed their first chance in the 14^th minute when Baraza was found by a cross in the six-yard box and had all the space to guide the ball in but headed it feebly for Kaweesa to gather.

Then another cross into the box from the right flank was heading for three Sofapaka men in the box when Jimmy Kidega cut it off directing it towards his goal. Derrick Walulya had to scramble it off the line.

Then Akinyemi headed straight to the goalie, the best chance, from inside the six yard box after.

By the time the breakthrough came about, the dominant Kenyans, who had only escaped one serious attempt at their goal from the Ugandans, seemed like they would never score.

Sofapaka coach Sam Ssimbwa, ironically a Ugandan, in the end said that his side just needed to get the first goal before they confirmed their obvious control of the match.

“The goals were very good in the end. We want to continue scoring. Our aim is to top Group ‘C’; we have to beat Atraco [Rwanda] and Simba [Tanzania]. That’s a must because going top you avoid big name teams TP Mazembe or APR in the quarter finals

“Our aim is to reach the semi-finals and we wish to tune-up with as many wins as possible before then.”

But the Kenyans started with some half fit players recovering from injury and in fact Akinyemi could not last, limping off with a bad thigh and did not return after the break. Congolese import, Hugo Nzoka took his place. Wanyama managed to finish the match but in the early periods he looked in pain.

“The replacements have to step up the plate and produce. We have some serious absences due to injury.”

Sofapaka captain James Situma, the valuable Kenyan international said he appreciated Ssimbwa’s advice after a slow start.

“The coach gave me touchline instructions after thirty minutes telling us how to vary our game and from then on the players put in a fine performance.

“URA are a good team. Because we had beaten them in three previous friendlies, they came at us with some knowledge and we really had to play differently.”

TEAMS:

URA - 24. Eddie Kaweesa: 22. Wejuli Osman, 20. Derrick Walulya, 14. Musa Doka, 26. Henry Kasekka, 19. Samuel Mubiru, 4. Manco Kaweesa, 10. Mike Sserumaga, 8. Ismael Kigozi, 30. Jimmy Kidega (17. Emmanuel Balyejusa, 28’), 16. Augustine Nsumba

Coach – Alex Isabirye

SOFAPAKA – 29. Wilson Obungu: 5. Edgar Ochieng’, 6. Said Idrissa Rajab, 11. Anthony Kimani, 20. Humphrey Mieno Odhiambo, 8. Abbas Akinyemi (30. Hugo Nzoka, 46’),  21. Hussein Abdulrazak Alwy (8. Laurent Tumba, 61’),  9. Bob Mugalia, 7. Thomas Wanyama, 14. James Situma (captain). Coach – Sam Ssimbwa (Uganda) .

Referees: Munyemana Hudu (Rwa), Ally Kombo (Zan), Theogene Ndagije (Rwa), Mohamed Farah (Dji). Match Comm: Amir Hassan (Som).