CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup day two action saw Uganda and DR Congo played out in stalemate while Kenya were comfortable winners against Djibouti.
The first game of the day saw the defending champions Uganda take on the guests for this tournament DR Congo side, the match was first scheduled to take place yesterday but was postponed due to DR Congo’s late arrival to Ethiopia.
The fixture officiated by the Eritrean referee Teklu Moges was rather a frustrating one for both sides as both teams failed to create ample chances to break the deadlock, the only clear cut chance of the game fall for Uganda’s side but Steven Mukwala’s effort from a lofted cross from the right side just went wide.
The reigning champions led by Morley Byekwaso were determined to keep the possession but their performance was far from convincing, both sides lacked that cutting edge needed to win the game as the match ended in a goalless draw.
The second fixture at the Bahirdar International Stadium saw Kenya clinch a convincing 3-0 win against Djibouti.
Unlike the earlier match, this one was an open contest where end to end action was witnessed, the Kenyans took the lead in the 11th minute through Ulinzi Stars midfielder Njuguna Collins outstanding finish, but the Djibouti side was by far the better side with an aesthetically pleasing passage of play and created two good scoring chances but failed to execute.
In the second half, Stanley Okumbi’s Kenyan side came out stronger, on the 63rd minute Otieno Reagan double the lead while Oluche Ochieng scored in the dying minutes cruising his side to victory.
Apart from the 3-0 scoreline, the Djibouti side’s very adventurous set up especially in the first half deserves a lot of credit.
The CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup will resume on Tuesday as Eritrea takes on Burundi at the same venue.
