Cecafa: EL Merreikh stroll To KAGAME CUP semis

El Merreikh FC's goalkeeper Magoola Salim passes the ball during their Cecafa Kagame Club Cup quarter final match against Azam of Tanzainia at Nyamirambo Stadium, yesterday. [PHOTO: PIC CENTRE]

Allan Wanga hit the upright post in normal play but scored one of the spot kicks as El Merreikh edged out Tanzanian giants Azam 4-3 on post match penalties to qualify for the Cecafa Kagame Cup semis here at Nyamirambo Stadium in Kigali.

Both teams played out a barren draw in normal time. Wanga, Said Mohammed, Hussein Ali Gafer and Abdelatif Magda all scored for El Merreikh while Edward Ayoni, Moris Ambrosi and Didier Kavumbagu scored for Azam. Salum Kapombe and Preux Loenel missed.

“We have to remain focused. The team is new, and we are now trying to play a one unit. It is good I came off the bench and made an impact, but I still carry a knock on my ankle and it is painful,” said Wanga.
“The next opponents will be another test but the team is growing stronger by the day.”

The game started slowly with Wanga suffering from an ankle knock, coach Yousief Burhaneldin opted to start upfront with Mohamed Abdu Gabir.

However, Azam started strongly with Herman Tche Tche Kipre, Preux Saint Loenel and Salum Abubakar terrorising the El Merreikh defence.

The Sudanese side reverted to using the flanks and high long balls as Captain Ahmed Elbasha made runs on the right wing providing crosses but Agab Ramadan, Mohammed Traore and Gabir could not connect for the opener.

In the 28th minute Azam’s Leonel dribbled inside El Merreikh defence but his shot to the left corner was put out by goalkeeper Omar Salim Magoola.

After the breather, El Merreikh went on the offensive and had three shots on target, but were all cleared by Azam custodian Mwadin.

Leonel’s run on the left wing of Azam failed to open up El Merreikh defence as the teams remained goalless by the hour mark.
Kipre was on target in the 66th minute but Magoola punched his shot out for fruitless corner.

Wanga came in the 75th minute replacing Gabir. It made impact immediately as he dribbled past two Azam defenders to set up Traore, whose effort rebounded off the crossbar. Wanga then got through after Traore returned the favour and his strike hit the upright post. It ended 0-0.

On Friday, there will be no mercy and love lost as Rwanda’s forces Police go to combat against APR, the country’s military wing, in Cecafa Kagame Cup semi-finals at Amahoro National Stadium.
The two sides wade through murky quarters matches at Nyamirambo Stadium. APR beat city rivals Rayon Sports 4-3 on spot kicks after both sides drew 2-2. There was hue and cry from the Rayon fans.

“To me, the Cecafa Kagame cup is over. This foreign coach (Jean Francois Losciuto) is useless. It is the fourth time APR is beating us this year. The pain is too much to bear,” said Aisha Nshimiyamana, a Rayon die-hard fan.