Samson Opus and Swalley Kenyi
11 December 2008
Kampala — UGANDA'S hopes of an early berth to the World Military soccer stage were put on hold after Algeria snatched a 2-0 victory in the Africa Military Football Championship semi-finals yesterday.
The North Africans exerted early pressure against army side Simba in the first half of the game at Nakivubo. This paid off well for Algeria when Bekchida Koussela struck on 35 minutes after a goal melee before Abdullah Chebira stretched the lead from a free-kick five minutes later.
The result sets up Algeria in the Saturday's final against defending champions Cameroon who beat Kenya 2-0 in the other semi-final.
Uganda takes on Kenya today in the classification match to determine the third African team to the 2011 World Military Championship in Brazil.
r FUFA yesterday finally released to URA FC her players who were training for the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup with the Uganda Cranes team. This sorts out URA's player crisis ahead of the Tusker Challenge Cup starting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Monday.
Cranes goalkeeper Abbey Dhaira, defenders Musa Docca, Joseph Owino, midfielder Tonny Mawejje, strikers Patrick Ochan and Eric Obua all part of the 23-man contingent which left by road yesterday.
"All of them are on the team. We are now in Iganga (travelling to Tanzania)," team official (Dr. Jack Walugembe) said yesterday.
The decision to release the players followed URA coach Moses Basena's pleas for FUFA to exempt players if his team is to provide a formidable challenge at the lucrative championship.
The two-week event concludes four days before the Challenge Cup rolls off in Kampala, December 31.
URA is expected to tussle it out with Tanzania club Mtibwa Sugar in the opening match of the competition which has sh40m on offer for the winners. Yanga are the cup holders.
FIFA referee Dennis Batte will officiate at the event.
Meanwhile, CAF has appointed FIFA referee Fred Mufta to handle the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) semifinal match between Zimbabwe and South Africa tomorrow.
Mufta and assistants Hussein Bugembe and Ali Tomusange left for Harare yesterday.
FUFA has also picked Samuel Mpiima for a CAF administration course in Johannesburg Jan. 21-24.
CAMFOOT CHAMPIONSHIP
Semi-finals
Uganda 0 Algeria 2
Cameroon 2 Kenya 0
Today
Third place play-off
Uganda v Kenya
Saturday final:
Cameroon v Algeria
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