Burundi holds Uganda to a goalless draw

CECAFA 2017

Uganda Cranes 0-0 Burundi

Muha.J.M

CECAFA Senior Challenge Champions Uganda Cranes kicked-off this year’s tourney on a slow start after being held to a goalless draw in a Group B meeting at Bhukungu Stadium, Kakamega on Monday afternoon.

The first half didn’t provide much excitement infront of goal as both teams failed to create meaningful scoring chances.

Uganda had the first opportunity at goal and it came as late as the 24th minute when Derrick Nsibambi’s header from a Milton Kalisa free kick from the left sailed over the bar.

Six minutes later, Burundi attempted their luck at goal from a counter attack. Shaban Hussein’s shot from an Abdul Razak Fiston through pass was blocked by Bernard Muwanga while skipper Peierre Kwizera’s follow up shot was way wide.

Burundi gradually clawed back to the match with former Rwandan Police FC forward Laudit Mavugo heaping pressure to Uganda’s defense of Captain Bernard Muwanga and Timothy Dennis Awany.

Five minutes to the break, the Cranes thought they had broken the deadlock when Awany rose at the backpost to connect a Kalisa freekick into the net, but referee Peter Waweru whistled for a foul inside the box as Awany went for the header.

After the break, it was Burundi who came back more determined spirit, seeking to kill off the game early. Fiston had two chances in close succession.

The then found shooting space from the left, but his shot was feeble, trickling wide.

Ugandan tactician Moses Basena introduced Bright Stars’ captain Nelson Senkatuka for Vipers’ holding midfielder Tadeo Lwanga.

The Burundians executed a perfect strategy to defend in numbers and attack on the counter especially in the second half when the game picked up in pace a bit.

Three minutes later, Police forward Hood Kaweesa came on for the KCCA midfielder Allan Kateregga but that did not yield any positive results for coach Basena.

Burundi will next play Ethiopia on Thursday while Uganda will be up against South Sudan Friday.

The regional CECAFA Senior Challenge will continue with South Sudan facing Ethiopia at Bukhungu Stadium on Tuesday, while Rwanda takes on Zanzibar while Libya battle hosts Kenya.