Uganda Cranes retain Cecafa cup

Nairobi, Kenya (December 14, 2009) – Defending Cecafa champions Uganda have retained their regional title after defeating Rwanda 2-0 in the final of the Cecafa Cup in Nairobi.

Dan Wagaluka opened the score with a long range effort just before half time.

Emmanuel Okwi scrambled the ball in from close range to give Uganda their 11th Cecafa trophy.

Their Scottish coach Bobby Williamson said it was a hard fought encounter.

“The second goal knocked the stuffing out of the Rwandans” he said.

“We’ve played better to be honest but in finals sometimes the occasion becomes a bit too much for some players and I felt that with a few of our guys, we’ve had to work hard to be successful”.

“I’m very pleased, I’ve got a good bunch of professionals to work with.

“They’re a great squad and we’ve been together in hotels for the last two weeks and I didn’t have a moment’s concern, and I can’t say that about some teams I’ve managed in the past” he said.

“This means everything to Ugandans” he said.

“It’s a big footballing nation, and it would be helpful if they were encouraged to watch more Ugandan football rather than the English Premiership”.

Less than 5,000 fans turned out to watch the regional final which has suffered from poor attendance since the exit of Kenya’s Harambee Stars in the quarter-finals.

They were defeated by Uganda in a repeat of last year’s final.

Earlier Zanzibar defeated mainland Tanzania 1-nil to finish third in the regional competition.