After losing their second group A match against Tanzania at the ongoing CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in Ethiopia, Amavubi Stars head coach Johnny McKinstry has blamed Sudanese referee Ali Ismail Mohamood for the loss, after what he termed ‘favouring’ the ‘Kilimanjaro Stars’.

Amavubi lost the game 2-1 on Tuesday and McKinstry, who has lost seven times in eight matches, said he was disappointed by not only the result but also the performance of the Sudanese official.

He said, "I think the free kick which was awarded for Tanzania’s opening goal was a poor call. There were a number of other decisions given in their favour.”

"We tweaked a few things at half time and came more aggressive in the game in the second half. We applied good pressure and should have had a penalty when it was still 1-0.

"Most of the Tanzanian players waited for the penalty to be given following a clear foul on Jacques Tuyisenge, but the referee decided not to give it. That would have changed the course of the game,” he added.

The 30-year-old Northern Irishman noted that his team was caught off-guard on the counter attack when they were pushing for the equalizer.

The Kilimanjaro Stars opened the goal scoring through Juma Said’s free kick on the edge of the box after Amavubi midfielder Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza fouled striker John Bocco, and he was booked for the offence.

After recess, Amavubi pressed hard for an equalizer but several attempts were cleared away by the Tanzanian goal keeper.

In the 60th minute, Tuyisenge was brought down in the penalty area by Kelvin Yondani but the Sudanese referee Mohamood could not hear any of Amavubi team pleas.

After five minutes, Tanzania was gifted with a second goal when Kwizera missed an attempted save outside the box, leaving Simon Msuva to score the second goal for the Kilimanjaro Stars.

Tuyisenge scored his second goal of the tournament with two minutes to the end of the game from Dominique Savio Dominique Nshuti’s cross.

After winning their second game, Tanzania lead Group A with six points followed by Rwanda with three points.

Amavubi will face Somalia in their last game on Friday.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw