COUNCIL OF EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATIONS

South Sudan’s Malakia FC put up a strong resistance that denied Uganda’s knock out Cup title holders Victoria University a meaningful victory in the first fixture of the inaugural CECAFA Nile basin Cup played at Al-Merreikh stadium in Khartoum City, Friday evening.

The Ugandan representatives had an early goal in the 12th minute through Maurishid Jjuuko but all their remaining efforts yielded no other results. The South Sudanese players who went into the game as underdogs proved an equally good side despite losing 1-0 to the university students. 
Coaches speak out

Ugandan Coach Molly Byekwaso sounded disappointed as he spoke to journalists after the game. “We have continued wasting chances which we can regret in future….Iam very disappointed but will meet the boys and try to correct the mistakes”, remarked the youthful coach.

His counterpart Ramzi Sebit who claimed to have been with the team for less than two weeks confessed playing a more organized side but pledged a better show against Police FC on Sunday. “They looked more organized than us but we have not yet lost the campaign” said Sebit.
Lost before the Ambassador

CECAFA Vice President Lawrence Mulindwa, the South Sudan ambassador to Khartoum Mayan Woal and the CECAFA Secretary General Nicholas Musonye were among the dignitaries that blessed the event.
Ambassador Woal was however heard hailing his boys for a good show against the Ugandan side. Victoria’s Noah Semakula leaped off the pitch after picking a severe injury that may deny him a chance in their next game. Elsewhere in Shandi, hosts Al-Shandi FC edged Dkhill (Djibouti) 2-1 to go top of Group ‘C’ table.
Mbeya City arrives in Khartoum

Action resumes this weekend with Tanzania Mainland’s Mbeya City taking on Academie from Burundi at Khartoum Stadium at 5:30pm. Mbeya arrived in Khartoum on Friday afternoon and will be playing a side that has had some good two days of rest in Sudan.
Kenya’s AFC Leopards will host Rwanda’s Enticelles in the day’s last fixture.

ROGERS MULINDWA
CECAFA MEDIA MANAGER
+249-927-320-683