Sudan, Rwanda in Cefaca semis

Sudan became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the Cecafa Tusker Challenge Cup after defeating Burundi 2-0 at the National Stadium on Monday with strikes either half from Amir Abdelnabi and Mohammed Musa.

This was the first quarter-final match played and not the tie between Sudan and Uganda as was reported earlier.

Sudan were joined by Rwanda who broke the hearts of locals here by beating battling Zanzibar 2-1.

Medie Kagere scored the winning goal, a sure candidate for goal of the tournament, six minutes from time after teammate Jean Baptist Mugiraneza and Zanzibar’s Abdulrahman Mohammed had each struck in the first-half.

Organisers have shuffled Tuesday’s quarter-final ties, moving the game between hosts Tanzania and Malawi to 4 pm and the Uganda versus Zimbabwe tie to 2 pm.

Full-strength Sudan

The African Cup of Nations-bound Sudan, featuring several players from their qualifier squad, were on top of the game from the first whistle against a hesitant Burundi team.

The Sudanese even managed to hold out for 20 minutes with 10 men after Nagmeldin Abdallah was sent off for stupidly kicking an opponent.

Sudan coach Mohammed Abdallah expressed satisfaction with the progress of his team but had harsh words for Nagmeldin Abdallah.

“It was unnecessary. He has to be patient at this level of the competition. It was not good and I always tell my players to play fair.”

Fawdy Ndayisenga failed to score a penalty for the advantaged Burundians which would have made the match more interesting in the closing stages.

Abd Elrahman showed the potent aerial threat of the Sudanese with a towering header that whistled over the bar in the fifth minute.

Strong shot

Khalifa Ahmed, from a short corner, tested Rwandese keeper Vladimir Niyonkuru with a vicious drive from the left on 15 minutes. Ahmed was at it again following some beautiful attacking football from Sudan. Ramadhan Agab pulled back cross but fired straight at the keeper.

Mohammed Musa then headed over the bar as Sudan chased for the opening goal. It duly came from the air, with Al Hilal man Abdelnabi winning the aerial duel with Niyonkuru to head into an empty net in the 40th minute.

Stung into action, Rwanda almost pulled back the goal in their next foray inside Sudanese territory as Ndayisenga’s powerful shot drew out a good save from goalkeeper Elmoiz Mahgoud.

Burundi continued with their attacking intent in the second but found it difficult to break some resolute defending from Sudan. The tireless Musa Mohammed cushioned Sudan’s lead with a composed finish inside the box in the 60th minute.

After the petulant Nagmeldin Abdallah was given his matching orders, Burundi poured forward in search of a life line.

They got their chance when Mauwia Bashir needlessly hacked down Didier Kavumbagu in the box seven minutes from time but Ndayisenga blasted his spot kick against the cross bar.

Tuesday’s quarter-final fixtures

Uganda v Zimbabwe (2pm)

Malawi v Tanzania (4pm)