DAR ES SALAAM - Kenya’s Tusker Fc were yesterday crowned the 2008 Cecafa/Kagame Cup champions after beating Uganda’s URA 2-1 in the final played last evening at National stadium, Dar-es-salaam.

However, there was drama as the third place play-off ended without kicking a ball. Three-time champions Yanga of Tanzania failed to show up for the game thus giving away the game to their bitter rivals Simba Sports Club.

According to a Cecafa official whom Times Sport talked to, Yanga risks a lengthy ban, "They could be banned for not less than three years” the official said.

The 2007 losing finalists URA went ahead 22 minutes into the game thanks to former Atraco striker Martin Muwanga. however quick substitution by Tusker’s coach Jacob "Ghost” Mulee early in the second half paid off quickly.

Tusker drew level via a Joseph Shikokoti header on 70 minutes; eight minutes to the end of the game journeyman Oscar Kadenge sealed it for the 10-man Tusker.

Tusker played also the large part of the second half with 10 men after midfielder Osborne Monday was stretched off with an ankle injury after Tusker had exhausted all their substitutions.

It’s the fifth time that the Kenyan club is winning the regional club championship. They first won it in 1988 as Kenya Breweries while it’s the second time in a row that the Ugandan sime is losing in the final.

They also lost to APR 2-1 in the 2007 edition in Kigali.
Tusker were awarded $ 30,000 while URA took home $20,000 and Simba, who won the third place without kicking the ball, were given $10,000 thanks to President Paul Kagame.

It is their third title since 2000 that Tusker is winning the trophy in 2000 and 2001 but they had won it twice in row in 1988 and 1989.

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