RESULT

URA 1-0 Simba
TODAY
Yanga v Tusker

Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) FC yesterday continued their relentless pursuit of the Cecafa Kagame Cup when they beat Tanzania’s Simba 1-0 infront of a partisan home crowd.

Eric Obua netted 21 minutes into extra time to give Moses Basena’s side a place in the final for the second consecutive year. But the real hero was goalkeeping sensation Abel Dhaira, who saved a penalty in the very last minute to confirm his status as an emerging force in his position.

Dhaira was the team’s main signing in the transfer season and he has proved a bargain with a string of eye-catching saves in this tournament.

Obua beat two Simba defenders Anthony Matangolu and Juma Tabu to a Martin Muwanga cross to send the URA bench into delirium. It was Obua’s second goal in this tournament. Kenyan referee Thomas Onyango then awarded Simba a last minute spot kick, but Nigerian striker Emeh Izechukwu’s effort was well saved by Dhaira.

Last season Dhaira saved a last minute penalty for Express FC in a continental fixture against Inter Club of Burundi URA who lost to Rwandan army side APR in last year’s final, now await the winner between another home side Yanga and Kenyan side Tusker. The teams clash in the second semifinal today.

Basena attributed his team’s victory to team work and patience. “I ordered my boys not to play at Simba’s pace and they followed my instructions. The team also played as a unit and they finally achieved their goal,” said Basena.

URA is sure of pocketing either US$30,000 or Shs48m staked for the winner or US$20,000 or Shs32m for the runners-up. URA team: Dhaira, Mubiru, Kyobe (Senabulya), Doca, Owino, Kaweesa, Bagoole, Wagaluka, Kisekka (Obua), Kigozi, Okello (Muwanga).