Ugandan sensation inspires KCCA to Cecafa Kagame Cup finals

KCCA youngster Allan Okello celebrates his opening goal against Green Eagles during today's Cecafa Kagame Cup match at the Stade Kigali. (Courtesy]

Ugandan sensation Allan Okello scored a brace and provided an assist as KCCA beat Zambia's Green Eagles 4-3 in extra time to reach the Cecafa Kagame Cup finals after a 2-2 draw in regular time in today's semifinal match at Kigali Stadium, Rwanda.

Okello had given the Ugandan champions an early lead only for Amity Shamende to level the scores before he forced the match into extra time after cancelling out Shamende's second goal late in the game.

After providing an assist for Okello's equaliser, substitute veteran striker Mike Mutyaba got his name on the score-sheet with Okello returning the favour in the 97th minute.

Three minutes later, Sadat Anaku put the game beyond the Zambians' reach with a clinical finish after a defensive error.

Christopher Chola made it 4-3 in the dying minutes, but KCCA held their nerves to sail through.

KCCA will now meet with the winner between holders Azam and AS Maniema in the final tomorrow.

It took only two minutes for Okello to break the deadlock when he unleashed an unstoppable shot past a hapless goalkeeper Sebastian Mwange after a solo run.

Tapson Kaseba nearly equalised for the Eagles immediately but he ballooned his effort from the right flank before Mustafa Kizza forced a fine save from the keeper on the opposite end.

Okello then teed up Abubakar Gift, but the midfielder's screamer crashed against the crossbar.

The Zambians came close to drawing level on the half-hour mark, but Spencer Sautu was brilliantly denied by goalkeeper Charles Lukwago before Mukabanga Siambombe's goal-bound effort was blocked by a sacrificing Ugandan defender.

However, after a series of raids, Amity Shamende restored parity for the invited Zambian outfit with a terrific 37th minute shot after pouncing on a loose ball in the area.

KCCA almost regained the lead on the stroke of halftime but Peter Magambo missed a sitter after a quickly taken corner kick.

Siambombe then saw his 51st-minute effort at the edge of the box deflected for a fruitless corner kick.

But a minute later, Amity comfortably scored his second goal of the evening with an easy finish after fantastic play by overlapping right-back Warren Kinda.

Okello nearly drew level on the hour mark but his shot from substitute Mike Mutyaba's pass went over the bar before Sadat Anaku squandered a golden scoring chance.

Mutyaba then failed to make contact with Kizza's dangerous cross from the left flank.

Okello cancelled out Amity's second goal with a brilliant finish in the 80th minute after being released through by Mutyaba.

Okello could have snatched the winner with the final kick of the regular time but his surprise shot was kept out by Mwange forcing the match into extra time.

Mutyaba finally got his name on the score sheet when he unleashed a powerful shot after combining well with Okello in the 97th minute.

Three minutes later, Sadat capitalised on Eagles' defensive lapse to put the game beyond them with a clinical finish.

Semifinals results

KCCA 4-3 Green Eagles (2-2 regular time)

Sunday finals fixtures

KCCA v Azam/AS Maniema

Third place playoffs

Green Eagles v Azam/As Maniema