Tanzania qualify for 2015 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup quarters

Tanzania on Tuesday became the first team to qualify for the quarter stage at the on-going 2015 Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) Senior Challenge Cup in Ethiopia.

Coach Charles Boniface Mkwasa's team stopped Rwanda 2-1 in a Group A match played at the Hawassa Stadium. The win sees them make it to the last eight after securing six points.

Said Hamis Ndemla scored early in the 24th minute from a well taken free kick before Simon Msuva made it 2-0 after poor goalkeeping by Rwanda's Oliver Kwizera later in the second half.

Jean Claude Iranzi also missed the target for Rwanda from close range after 30 minutes. After recess the Amavubi came back strongly to try and level matters but the Tanzania defenders stood firm.

Tanzania's goalkeeper Aishi Manula pulled some brilliant saves.

Jacques Tuyisenge almost pulled one back for Rwanda after a well taken free kick missed the target by inches. He soon got the goal after 88 minutes to take his tournament tally to two.

Rwanda's head coach Johnny McKinstry said they conceded poor goals against a good Tanzania side.

"We did not defend so well and got punished," said the Northern Ireland born coach.

The Amavubi will now face Somalia on Friday in a game which will decide if they make it to the last eight or not, while Tanzania battle hosts Ethiopia on Saturday in the other Group A tie. Endit