Uganda U23 eliminate Rwanda in 2016 Olympic qualifier

Uganda's U23 team on Saturday reached the next round of the 2016 Olympic Games/2015 CAF U23 Championship qualifier.

The team handled by Miltin 'Micho' Sredojevic humbled Rwanda 2-0 in the second leg played at the Nakivubo Stadium in Kampala. Uganda qualified on a 4-1 goal aggregate to set up a game against Egypt in the next stage.

After a goalless first half, the Uganda Kobs put lots of pressure to score through John Ssemazi and skipper Farouk Miya. Ssemazi capitalized on a good cross by Tunisian based professional Junior Yunus Ssentamu to score in the 60th minute before Miya made it 2-0 with a clever volley past goalkeeper Marcel Nzarora two minutes later.

Rwanda skipper Andrew Buteera Yannick Mukunzi and Isaie Songa had played a good first half but found the defense marshaled by Richard Kasagga and Brian Ochwo up to the task.

Uganda's goalkeeper Salim Magoola stopped Mukunzi and Songa's shots early in the half while Miya's shot also hit the post and returned into play.

The introduction of Ssentamu brought more life for the home side as they run rings around the visiting Rwanda team. Rwanda's Kevin Muhire who came on as a substitute for Buteera together with Uganda's Kasagga were booked for foul play.

"We played well and am happy that we kept a clean sheet at home," said Uganda's coach Sredojevic. The coach added that they will now have to work hard before facing Egypt in October.

Vincent Mashami, Rwanda's assistant coach who took charge in the absence of the head coach who is in Europe for a working visit said his boys failed to take advantage of the chances in the first half and got punished for some mistakes in the second half.

In-case Uganda eliminate Egypt, they will qualify for the 2015 CAF U23 Championship to take place in Senegal in December. The three best teams at the African event will automatically qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. Endi