Allan Wanga of El-Merreikh from Sudan celebrates his goal with teammate Said Mohamed after scoring against Banadir of Somalia. [PHOTO: PIC CENTRE]

KIGALI, RWANDA: Allan Wanga struck early in the first half to help El Mereikh secure a 4-0 win over poor Benadir of Somalia. It was Wanga’s fourth attempt on goal, with his first three shots going out in the ongoing Kagame Cup.

Benadir started by defending deep and limiting El Mereikh to long shots, but in the 17th minute, Wanga capitalised on poor defending to steal a goal with a shot outside the 18-yard box beating Patrick Gichob in goal. In the 35th minute, Ahmed Elbasha, captain of El Mereikh scored the second with the assist pass coming from Mohamed Bakhiet.

In the second half, Wanga operating as a second striker was limited to setting up his colleagues and in the 50th minute Mohammed Trorie scored the third goal while the fourth was put through the net by Pascal Wawa from a free kick.

“I think I played better today. As the tournament progresses, I believe we will do well. We want to win, but all teams want to win so it will be down to our strength and focus,” said Wanga.

On Sunday evening, Tanzanian giants Azam, recovered from their goalless draw against Rayon on Friday to rout KMKM of Zanzibar 4-0 in an entertaining Cecafa Kagame Cup clash at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Sunday.

Having been asked to replace Yanga FC, also of Tanzania, on Thursday, Azam proved their critics wrong taking the game to their opponents and secured the three maximum points.

Azam captain Bocco Rafael led from the front striking the opener, barely a minute into play as he rose above his marker to head home past goalkeeper Khamis Mudathir.

Preux Saint Lionel doubled the lead in the 18th minute, and added his second 10 minutes later before John added his brace to seal the three points.

Later, Rayon beat Adamma 2-1 with Salita Kambale scoring a brace in the second half in Group A.

The Congolese striker came on as a second half substitute replacing Leon Uwambajimana and netted in the 57th and 72nd minutes, both goals off good crosses from right-back Karim Nizigiyimana.

Earlier, in Group B, Telecom of Djibouti held their nerve to beat a ten-man Kampala County Council Authority to boost their hopes of making it to the last eight round.