Vipers SC’s hopes of reaching the CECAFA Kagame Cup semi-finals were left hanging by a thread after a 2-1 defeat to APR FC in their final Group A match on Thursday in Kigali.
Despite finishing the group stage with six points, the Uganda Premier League champions must now wait for the conclusion of the remaining group matches to know whether they qualify as the tournament’s best second-placed team.
Vipers entered the final round on top of Group A after consecutive victories over Garde Republicaine and Gor Mahia.
However, defeat to APR saw them surrender first place to Kenya’s Gor Mahia, who edged Garde Republicaine 1-0 to finish top of the group.
APR took the lead through Mamadou Traore before Djibril Quattara doubled the advantage. Gusto Mulongo pulled one back for Vipers, but it was not enough to prevent the Venoms from slipping to their first defeat of the tournament.
Vipers’ problems were compounded in the second half when Congolese defender Kevin Dasylva Bady was sent off, forcing the Ugandan side to finish the match with 10 men.
Gor Mahia secured top spot in Group A with six points and a superior goal difference of five, while Vipers also finished on six points but with an inferior goal difference of three. APR ended their campaign on six points as well but were eliminated due to an even lower goal difference.
The result was a setback for Vipers, who had looked on course for automatic qualification after defeating Gor Mahia 1-0 earlier in the week thanks to Mulongo’s dramatic stoppage-time winner.
The Venoms must now rely on results elsewhere, with the remaining Group B and Group C fixtures set to determine whether they progress to the semi-finals as the best second-placed team.
Friday’s fixtures will see defending champions Singida Black Stars take on Simba SC in an all-Tanzanian clash, while Group B leaders Jamus SC face Mogadishu City Club.
The winners of the CECAFA Kagame Cup will receive US$30,000, with the runners-up earning US$20,000 and the third-placed team taking home US$10,000.
Post a comment