CECAFA: Late Kambale Penalty Sends Express To Final

Tuesday, August 10
*Express FC (Uganda) 2-1 KMKM (Zanzibar)

Eric Kambale scored late from the spot as Express FC grit teeth to eliminate KMKM and storm the CECAFA Kagame Cup final.

The Red Eagles went down at the stroke of halftime when Ibrahim Abdallah Hamad’s freekick was deflected into Joel Mutakubwa’s net by Arthur Kiggundu.

However, Express came back from the second half hungrier and played with intent.

Their resurgence was paid with a classic Muzamir Mutyaba freekick at the box edge in the 55th minute.

With the game destined for extratime, Martin Kizza was brought down in the forbidden area and the referee pointed to to the penalty mark in the added minutes.

Kambale showed composure to bulge the net, sending Express technical bench into wild celebrations.

The Red Eagles will face winner between Azam and Big Bullets (match on Wednesday) in the final on Saturday.

Martin Kizza (left). TFF photo

Red Eagles Scrap Through

Express were the better side from the first whistle as they dominated proceedings.

However, there looked blunt and did not record a single shot on target in open play!

They fluffed two quick chances inside the first 15 minutes to take the lead – Kambale headed out Kiiza’s freekick and the winger also missed an opportunity when he failed to connect with a decent cross from Mutyaba.

They saw their penalty appeal waived just after Kambale saw the keeper easily punch out his header.

Mutyaba was teed up moments later but the midfielder fumbled in the box before KMKM cleared away from danger.

And from there, a foul by Murushid Juuko at the opposite end saw the minnows take the lead.

In the second stanza, Express showed resolve and played with a lot of urgency.

Richard Jovit John was judged to have handled the ball at the edge of the box as he went in the air to challenge Kiiza.

Mutyaba did no mistake as his right-footed curled effort eluded the keeper to find its way into the back of the net.

Express FC XI

Express continued to hunt their prey. Mutyaba was denied at point blank range after the side had poorly defended from a beautiful Kiggundu cross.

Kizza almost found space at near post but his effort was just an inch wide.

He was later fouled in the box for the referee to award the side a penalty.

Kambale, who had had a quiet game, stepped up and successfully took the responsibility.

George Ssenkaaba started the match. TFF

KMKM Hard Done

KMKM had played admirably on an a difficult evening they were on a back foot for almost the entire game.

And they had a fair share of chances – Mohamed Said Mohamed skewed wide an effort after Express failed to clear out a whipping cross from Haji Mwinyi Mgwali.

At 1-1, they almost picked a winner in the 72nd minute but substitute Salum Akida Shukuru’s acrobatic kick was kept out by Joel Mutakubwa.

After all their hard work, they will feel hard done to concede a penalty in added penalty time which would have been avoided.

In fact, Kiiza was driving to the byline and there were less chances that he could hurt them when he was tripped.

Express match on to CECAFA Kagame Cup final. TFF photo

Players Used

Express FC XI – Joel Mutakubwa, Enock Walusimbi, Arthur Kiggundu, Murushid Juuko, Issa Lumu, John Byamukama, Mahad Kakooza Yaya, Muzamir Mutyaba, Martin Kizza, Eric Kambale, George Ssenkaaba.

KMKM XI – Nassor Abdallah, Ali Mohamed, Haji Mgwali, Richard Jovit John, Ibrahim Abdallah, Ibrahim Khamis, Samier Yahya, Ishaka Said, Abdul-Rahman Othman, Mohamed Said Mohamed, Ilyasa Suleiman Mohamed

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