Kagame Cup

Day 3 results

Atraco 1-2 Simba
URA    0-3 Sofapaka

KAGAME Cup defending champions Atraco got their title defence off to the wrong foot after yesterday’s 2-1 defeat against Tanzania’s Simba at Nyamirambo’s regional stadium.

The taxi men side started well and could have taken an early lead but Mike Ssebalinga’s spot kick was saved by Juma Kaseja.

On the 29th minute, Simba’s Robert Ssentongo showed Atraco how it is done with a spectacular free kick.

Dady Birori and Jean Lomami had half chances on the 38th and 42nd minute but could not convert them.

After half-time, Atraco coach Sam Timbe introduced Yahya Seburungo for Jean D’Amour Uwimana but the Tanzanians continued pressing. Timbe made another change on the 52nd minute bringing on Andre Lomami for his out of sorts elder brother Jean Lomami and the move seemed to pay off as Andre revitalized the side with a series of good runs down the right flank.

Moments later, Ssebalinga was again unlucky as his long range effort hit the wood work but Alimasi Kadogo capitalised to score on the rebound.

Atraco regained the upper hand but could not kill off the game as Andre and Birori wasted open chances on the 72nd and 80th minute.

The game looked like it was heading for a draw only for Simba to be awarded a penalty on the 90th minute after a foul on Robert Ssentongo by Donatien Tuziyere.
Musa Hassan Mgosi made no mistake from the spot kick to hand his side a crucial 2-1 win.

In his post match remarks, Timbe was adamant on Atraco’s display insisting that the team would put in a much better display in their next game (Sofapaka).

"We made a few mistakes and they cost us dearly but it is not over. We just have to up our tempo against Sofapaka,” Timbe said.

Earlier in the day, Sofapaka walloped URA 3-0 in the other Group C match at Nyamirambo stadium.

John Baraza, Hugo Nzoka and Bob Mugasa scored the goals to give head coach and former Atraco boss Sam Simbwa a perfect start.

"This is arguably the toughest group in the tournament so this is a key result for us considering the fact that we are only making our debut in the tournament,” he said.

Uganda’s representatives marched into the event hoping for a third-time lucky charm having lost in the finals in their only two appearances in the event.

In 2007, URA lost to APR in Kigali and then went on to lose to Kenya’s Tusker in Tanzania the following year. Both matches ended with 2-1 score lines.

Ends