Rayon see off URA to reach last four

AL FASHER . Rayon Sport edged closer to winning the second Cecafa Kagame Club Championship title since 1998 after beating Uganda Revenue Authority 3-2 in their quarter-final match played yesterday at Al Nugga stadium.Man of the match Kambale Salita played a crucial role in making sure the Blues booked their place in the last four, scoring twice and setting up strike partner Amissi Cedric for the other goal in a tightly fought match played in North Darfur.Kambale opened the scoring as early as the 7th minute after playing a clever one-two with Fuadi Ndayisenga before unleashing a hard shot past Yassin Mugabi in goal for the Ugandan side. Despite falling behind, the Ugandan champions dominated proceedings in search for the equaliser but Owen Kasule, Mohammed Feni, Yayo Lutimba and Frank Kalanda were all denied by the good defensive work from Rayon Sports defence, especially Faustin Usegimana, who twice cleared off the line.After recess, URA came in full force but once again they were undone by Amissi’s second goal for Rayon in the 48th minute after Joseph Owino misjudged a header from Mussa Docca to hand an easy chance to Rayon’s top scorer, who punished substitute keeper Brian Bwete for his fifth goal of the tournament.URA never gave up and within a few minutes Owen Kasule responded with a superb header off Feni’s cross but Usegimana was there to head off the line with Gerald Bikorimana already beaten.In the 63rd minute, Kambale beat off Docca and Allan Munnaba to score his second goal of the match and Rayon’s third.However, URA were about to surprise the Blues as they scored two goals in quick succession through Frank Kalanda in the 76th and two minutes later, Feni dribbled past Iddy Nshimiyimana, Usegimana and Abouba Sibomana to net the second, which set up a tense final ten minutes for the Rwandan champions.However, with three minutes to go, URA defender Derrick Walulya was sent off for elbowing Gad Niyonshuti and when Sudanese Hashim Adam Ahmed blew the final whistle, the whole stadium went wild as the Blues marched into the money-spinning round.Earlier, Burundian champions Vital’O cruised into the semi-finals after whipping Ports of Djibouti 6-0.Amissi Tambwe scored a hat trick, while Christian Mbirizi, Deo Ndayishimiye and substitute Baby Miami Girukwishaka scored the other goals.Rayon Sports will face Vital’O in the semi-final on Saturday at Al Fasher stadium.