Cecafa Tusker Challenge Cup

Yesterday’s results
Rwanda 5-2 Djibouti
Ethiopia 0-0 Malawi

Today (SS9, TVR)
Kenya vs Sudan – 1pm

Tanzania vs Zimbabwe – 3pm

OLIVIER Karekezi lit the fuse on Rwanda’s title charge with a hat-trick in a stunning 5-2 victory over 10-man Djibouti in their final Group B match of the on-going Cecafa Tusker Challenge Cup in Dar es Salaam.

Karekezi’s heroics maintained Amavubi’s 100 per cent record in the tournament and further asserted their position at the top of the group with nine points.

With the scores level at 2-all, Amavubi Coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic threw on the skipper and Meddie Kagere a few minutes into the second half and the game instantly switched back into Rwanda’s grip. Kagere hit the woodwork twice (on the 67th minute and 76th minute) but the wasps were just getting warmed up.

On the 78th minute, Karekezi netted his first of the match with a clinical strike from the edge of the box. He then made it two in three minutes after pouncing onto a clever pass from former APR team-mate Haruna Niyonzima.

Four minutes from time, Karekezi was back at it again when Djibouti’s goal keeper Yousouf Abdulrahim failed to stop his lethal strike from close range.

It was a great comeback for the 1999 champions who trailed Djibouti 1-2 at half time.

Bokota Labama had given Amavubi the lead inside the first ten minutes only for Ahmed Hassan to put the ‘Riverains de la Mer Rouge’ in front with a brace.

After missing two first half attempts, Jean Claude Mugiraneza a.k.a Migi made amends on the 57th minute equalizing with a well directed header. From that point, it was all Amavubi.

Karekezi is now the competition’s top scorer with four goals, one ahead of Burundi’s Cedric Amissi and Uganda Cranes striker Emma Okwi.

Malawi is also through to the quarter-finals after yesterday’s 1-all draw against Ethiopia, who were sent packing.

In today’s games, Kenya play Sudan while defending champions Tanzania need a draw against Zimbabwe to reach the last eight.

Ends