Cecafa 2016: Uganda recovers to rout Zanzibar

Uganda revived their hopes of making it to the semis of Cecafa after they hammered Zanzibar 9-0 in a one-sided match played on Tuesday.

The hosts came into the match having lost 4-0 to Kenya in the opener and were in need of a win to revive their chances of making it to the last four. Uganda did not disappoint their fans as they took an early lead through Glady Nakito, who converted from the penalty spot.

Ikwaput Fariza then made it 2-0 after two minutes before Christine Nambirige powered home the third for a deserved 3-0 half-time. On resumption, Ikwaput Fazira grabbed his second but fourth for Uganda before Hasifa Nassuna added the fifth. Ladi Otandeka scored the sixth in the 77th minute and Nassuna made it 7-0 before he completed a hat-trick in 87th minute and Otandeka rounded off the result with the winner at the stroke of full time.

Zanzibar will now face Kenya in their final Group match while Uganda will tackle Burundi. Earlier on, Kenya’s Harambee Starlets cruised into the last four after seeing off Burundi 4-0. Starlets’ goals came in the 29th minute courtesy of Neddy Atieno, who tapped in a well placed pass, after a series of attempts.

In the 32nd minute, the advantage was doubled by the team when Mary Kinuthia added the second from a long range effort that beat goalkeeper Belida Ndorarho.

Kenya continued attacking, and on the stroke of half-time Esse Akida made it 3-0, her third goal of the regional tournament. The David Ouma coached side were undone yet as stylish Neddy Atieno completed the rout ensuring that they book their place in the semis. Coach Ouma was happy with the outcome of the match and promised more from the side.