Semi final, TodayUganda vs KenyaRwanda vs EALA

RWANDAN Members of Parliament, skippered by Senate vice-president Bernard Makuza, must overcome the East Africa Legislative Assembly (Eala)  in today’s semi-final match if they are to book a place in the final of the annual Inter-Parliamentary regional football tournament.

Rwanda stormed the semi-finals after beating Burundi 2-0 in the group stage to advance alongside hosts and defending champions Uganda who had edged Burundi 4-0 and Rwanda 2-1 in the preliminary round.

Speaking to Times Sports yesterday, MP Jean-Marie Vianney Gatabazi, the team’s assistant captain said, "We are ready for the semi-final match. We are focused on progressing to the final and even win the title.”

In the other match set to be played earlier in the afternoon, Uganda will play Keya.

Like Rwanda, Kenya and Eala also advanced to the semi-final after registering a single win each. Kenya beat Tanzania 2-1 while Eala beat Kenya 1-0. Despite Tanzania beating Eala 1-0, they had to bow out of the tournament on goal difference and goals conceded rule.

Uganda are looking to win the championships for a third time in a row. 

Last year, Uganda narrowly beat Eala team 5-4 in post-match penalties in the final at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani in Nairobi, Kenya. In regular time, both teams drew 0-0.

The Inter-Parliamentary Games bring together football and netball teams from the National Assemblies and Eala/EAC in a two-week extravaganza that sees legislators swapping  their oratory and debating skills with fine  moves and passes on the field of play.

The five countries are members of the East African Community (EAC), which also has a legislative body, Eala.