Tusker Challenge Cup

Yesterday

Tanzania  0-1  Rwanda

Today

Zimbabwe  vs  Djibouti

Zanzibar  vs  Burundi

OLIVIER Karekezi’s 23rd minute goal condemned Tanzania to the worst possible start of their Cecafa title defence as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at the National Stadium, Dar es Salaam yesterday.

The Kilimanjaro Stars started well controlling possession in the early periods but Rwanda proved deadly on the attack.

The 1999 champions looked astute and assured and soon neutralized the home side’s harmless stings.

Karekezi was a handful for Juma Nyoso and company at the back and Amavubi coach Milutin Micho seemed to have planned the game around their talismanic captain as all balls from the white shirts looked for him.

First, Tanzania goalkeeper Juma Kasseja had to be at his best to parry Karekezi’s fierce free kick from over 25 yards.

Moments later, the hosts survived twice in one minute as two shots ratcheted off the woodwork, one of them a loop from Karekezi.

Trailed by two defenders, Karekezi picked a long ball from a halfway line with the Taifa Stars on the offensive, controlled it with the right in the area before beating Kasseja with his left for a 23rd minute lead.

Mrisha Ngassa and Nurdin Bakari’s onslaughts were well checked by Amavubi winger Charles Tibingana while Taifa Stars striker Mbwana Samata’s game was cut off by a solid defense manned by Eric Gasana and Ismail Nshutiyamagara.

Tanzania coach Boniface Mkwasa rung changes after recess bringing on Musa Hassan as the home side desperately searched for the equalizer.

The hosts poured forward in desperate search for salvation but Amavubi held on for what was a sweet win and revenge.

Tanzania will now look to bounce back against Djibouti on Tuesday.

Rwanda: Jean Claude Ndoli, Albert Ngabo, Frederic Ndaka, Eric Gasana, Ismail Nshutiyamagara, Jean Baptista Mugiraneza, Andrew Buteera, Charles Tibingana, Haruna Niyonzima, Meddie Kagere, Olivier Karekezi (C).

Tanzania: Juma Kaseja, Shomari Kapombe, Ibrahim Mwaipopo, Said Murad, Juma Nyoso, Shabani Nditi, Mrisho Ngassa, Nurdin Bakari, Mbwana Samata, Haruna Moshi, Ramadhan Chombo

Ends