Cranes hold off Rwanda to seal Chan spot

KIGALI.  The Uganda Cranes qualified for a fourth straight Chan finals appearance despite going down 2-0 to Rwanda's Amavubi Stars at the Kigali Stadium on Saturday evening. 

The result was however enough for the team to qualify for next year's finals tournament in Kenya after winning the first leg 3-0 at the St. Mary's Stadium last week. 

The Cranes made a nervous start and were punished in the eighth minute when midfielder Yannick Mukunzi stole in at the near post to connect past Ismail Watenga. 

It got even better for the home team when right back Thierry powered in a right wing corner kick to make it 2-0 inside 15 minutes. 

Despite being rattled by Rwanda's aggressive start, two-goal  first leg hero Muzamir Mutyaba had moments earlier split the opposition defense to set up Shafiq Kagimu. 

Goalkeeper Eric Ndayishimye however thwarted the effort as he rushed outside his goal area. 

The Ugandan team managed to get a hold of proceedings thereafter with Mutyaba forcing an instinctive save from Ndayishimye. 

The second period saw the tempo of the game drop slightly with Watenga only required to boot away a long punt forward and tipping over a freekick. 

The Cranes could even have nicked a goal when substitute Paul Mucureezi who had replaced Mutyaba was denied what looked like a stonewall penalty. 

The forward skipped past two challenges before appearing to be tripped only for Sudanese centre referee Hafiz Abdelghani to wave play on as the sizable Ugandan crowd their feelings clear at the decision.

The result also means that interim coaching pair Moses Basena and Fred Kajoba completed the first task handed to them since taking charge early month. 

Uganda's qualification to next year's finals tournament due January in Kenya makes it four straight appearances at the tournament played by players who ply their trade in their respective countries' domestic leagues. 

Cranes lineup

Ismail Watenga, Nicholas Wadada, Isaac Muleme, Paul Musamali, Timothy Awany, Bernard Muwanga, Moses Waiswa (Martin Kizza) Muzamir Mutyaba (Paul Mucureezi) Derrick Nsibambi Milton Karisa (Erisa Sekisambu) Shafik Kagimu. 

Unused substitutes

Benjamin Ochan Deus Bukenya Tom Masiko Simon Sserunkuma

Chan final qualification round return leg 

Rwanda 2-0 Uganda

(Uganda won 3-2 on aggregate)