CHAN 2020 Qualifiers
Uganda 3-0 Burundi (Agg: 3-0) @ Lugogo
Saturday, 19-10-2019
. Rwanda 1-1 Ethiopia (Aggregate:2-1)
. Sudan 1-2 Tanzania (Aggregate: 2-2)
The Uganda Cranes secured qualification to 2020 CHAN finals following a 6-0 aggregate victory over Burundi.
In the second leg played at Lugogo on Saturday, the Cranes defeated the Swallows 3-0 in a well attended game.
Fahad Bayo opened the scoring in the first half before substitute Viane Sekajugo and Allan Okello completed the route.
This is now the fifth consecutive time the Cranes have reached the final tournament since missing out in the inaugural edition in 2009.
For Burundi, they once again miss out on qualification. The only time they sealed a spot in the finals tournament was in 2014.
Uganda is always strong at home and were always expected to complete the double over Burundi having defeated them (Burundi) 3-0 in the first leg.
To many, it was just a matter of how many they would score and three was the answer in the end.
As early as the 6th minute, Bayo controlled a Mustafah Kizza cross before slotting in past Osineme Rukundo for the opening goal.
Bayo could have scored a second moments later but shot wide after rounding Rukundo after the Vipers SC striker was put through on goal by Okello.
Allan Okello who looked to be in control of proceedings from the on-set then made a solo effort into the box but shot weakly at Rukundo.
The 20 year old then found his way past three Burundi defenders but once again couldn’t beat Rukundo.
The Cranes were in close control of the game but lacked the killing instinct to strike again before the break.
Shafik Kagimu had a shot saved by Rukundo before the URA FC captain shot wide after pouncing onto a lose ball in the Burundi area.
Before the second goal, Bayo shot wide from a rebound and Mike Mutyaba blasted one over from out side the area.
With the crowd silent and looking dissatisfied with the score line, Ssekajugo pounced.
The Wakiso Giants FC forward who had replaced Mutyaba moments before, made a run into the box before deflecting Paul Willa’s cross into the back of the net to make it 2-0 on 70 minutes.
With 9 minutes to play, Okello would not be denied for the umpteenth time as he controlled Rukundo’s side pass before slotting home the third goal.
In the last five minutes, Bright Anukani who had earlier in the half replaced Kagimu saw two shots from outside the area fly over the target.
The three goals scored on the day mean that Cranes have scored 13 goals in the qualification campaign, their most since the championships were started in 2009.
Having defeated South Sudan in the past round, Burundi knew they would have to be at their absolute best if they were to eliminate Uganda.
Trailing 3-0 from the first leg, Burundi were surprisingly cautious from the start on Saturday.
Their only opportunity in the first half saw Iddy Muslim’s low shot pushed out for just a corner by Charles Lukwago.
In the second half, Muslim blasted an effort over after he was set up by Cedric Mavugo’s cross.
The Swallows’ best chance of the game fell to Landy Ndikumana but his low-goal bound snap-shot was saved by Lukwago.
Both teams first XI
Uganda XI
Charles Lukwago (GK), Paul Willa, Mustapha Kizza, Halid Lwaliwa, John Revita, Yusuf Ssozi, Nicholas Kasozi, Shafik Kagimu, Allan Okello, Mike Mutyaba, Fahad Bayo.
Burundi XI
Osineme Rukundo (GK), Cedric Mavugo, Iddy Muslim, Youssouf Ndayishimiye, Landry Ndikumana, Abdoul Amani, Emmanuel Harerimana, Eric Ndizeye, Asman Ndikumana, Abed Bugirimana, Cedric Urasenga.
Meanwhile Rwanda enjects Ethiopia to make the 2020 finals joining Tanzania and Uganda as the countries from the Central East Zone that will play at the 2020 Chan finals in Cameroon.
