CECAFA U15: Match Day 2 Recap

Second day the Cecafa U-15 tournament in Eritrea saw Uganda takes on Ethiopia; and Rwanda to South Sudan. — CECAFA U-15 Day 2 Key points: After a lackluster first half, Rwanda improved and scored three goals in the second half via its impressive number 9 player Irahamye Eric.

BY NATNAEL YEBIO

Matchday two of the Cecafa U15 tournament currently underway in Eritrea saw Uganda take on Ethiopia in the early kickoff. Under the typical winter weather of Asmara, Uganda national team came out on top with a resounding 3-0 thumping of their opponents.

While the age of some of their top players of the day came under scrutiny from the spectators often accompanied by boos and cheers whenever one of those suspected players where on the ball, the Ugandans went about their usual business, opening the scoreline within 10 minutes via Ogwal Devis who later on the match would end up getting his second of the day and this team’s third.

Uganda’s Coach Magerwa Jackson attributing the difference in physic between both set of players and the advantage his team had over the Ethiopians to the team’s diet.

The Ethiopian players put on a spirited display of football on the day but their opponents’ physical prowess proved to be too much throughout the match as they couldn’t get past a very strong Uganda backline.

In the second and final game of the day, Rwanda played against South Sudan.

In a goalless lackluster first half, both teams canceled out each other. Second half was an improvement on the first, as Rwanda coach Rwasamanzi Yves made a halftime substitution bringing on the pacey Irakoze Jean Paul for Mugisha Edrick and within five minutes of the restart, Rwanda took the lead through Irahamye Eric when a long ball from the back split the South Sudanese defense and found the attacker.

South Sudan looking to equalize first brought on Nyok Athiei Nyok then the aptly named Nelson Mandela Thomas and Edward Paul however it was Rwanda who got the next goal, Irahamye Eric once and again finding himself clean through on goal and scoring with a first time shot past the hapless South Sudanese goalkeeper, it wasn’t long before he got his third goal and undoubtedly his man of the match award come to the final whistle.

Eric was simply having one of those days where everything he did came off and was virtually unplayable.

Matchday three will see Sudan play their first game against Kenya while Burundi will look to get their second win of the tournament as they take on Somalia.