Uganda win seven-goal thriller
by James Wokabi 12 December 2010, 19:53
Substitute Sula Matovu scored the winner as Uganda came from behind to beat Ethiopia 4-3 in a seven goal thriller in the Cecafa Tusker challenge cup third and fourth place playoff match on Sunday.
Matovu notched the winning goal 18 minutes from time to decide a thrill a minute contest that was full of entertainment and goals as teams battled for the $10,000 dollars cash prize.
Ethiopia had the perfect start going ahead on two minutes when Omod Okwury Omod raced onto a raking pass before beating Uganda keeper Robert Odongkara with an assured finish at the far post.
The Cranes though have showed incredible resilience throughout the tournament and they came fighting back with winger Dan Wagaluka hitting the bar with a cross two minutes.
Uganda got the equalizer on six minutes when Ethiopian keeper Binyam Habtamu dropped a Wagaluka cross and Henry Kisseka tapped home the loose ball.
They should have gone ahead two minutes later but Kisseka was unable to find the finish to match Emmanuel Okwi’s incisive pass.
Like they have done in this tournament, Ethiopia struck when least expected and that was on the case on 33 minutes in a breathtaking counter attack lead by Shimeles Godo who beat Isaac Isinde down the right before squaring the ball for Omod to score at the far post.
Okwi should have made it 2-2 just before halftime but his shot smacked against the upright with the keeper beaten. He made amends four minutes after the break when he tapped home a Wagaluka cross to get Uganda back on level terms.
The Cranes then went ahead with absolute gem of a goal as Tony Maweije crashed home an unstoppable volley off an Okwi corner on 53 minutes with the keeper rooted to the spot.
The Walya Antelopes though came back again with Tesfaye Alebachew equalizing with a clever header that caught out Odongkara.
Parity only lasted four minutes before Uganda reclaimed the lead with Okwi again heavily involved as his clever pass put Matovu on goal and he did the rest beating the keeper with a deft piece of control before lashing the ball into the back of the net.
Uganda Coach Bobby Williamson was full of praise of Okwi’s contributions, “He has been terrific in this tournament and Tanzanians have got to see what he is capable of especially as he plays here but he has was excellent in the two weeks.”
“It was game too many for the boys but they should hold their heads high as we lost to one of the best teams in the tournament in Uganda and Ivory Coast and that in itself says how well we have done,” coach Ifem Onoura.