Tuesday, July 9
*Ali Wadi (Sudan) 1-0 JKU (Zanzibar)
*Coastal Union (Tanzania) 1-0 Dekedaha (Somalia)
*SC Villa (Uganda) 0-0 El Merriekh Bentiu (South Sudan)
*APR (Rwanda) 1-0 Singida Black Stars (Tanzania)
SC Villa were held to a goalless draw by South Sudan’s Al Merriekh Bentiu FC in their opening match of the CECAFA Club Championship.
Despite dominating the game, the Uganda Premier League champions were unable to break the deadlock.
SC Villa’s League MVP, Patrick Jonah Kakande, was a persistent threat throughout the match.
The reigning UPL MVP was denied a penalty when he was brought down in the penalty area, but the referee opted to award a corner instead.
The best opportunity of the match fell to Charles Lwanga, who missed from close range after Al Merriekh Bentiu’s goalkeeper spilled Kakande’s shot.
Lwanga also had an earlier goal disallowed for offside, and the Al Merriekh goalkeeper nearly handed Villa a breakthrough when he fumbled with a Najib Yiga’s cross.
Al Merriekh Bentiu had limited chances but nearly scored only for Villa goalkeeper Braddy Jeans Wokorach to make a crucial save in a one-on-one situation.
The result is a tough pill to swallow for coach Dusan Stojanovic and SC Villa, who were up against the 2023/2024 South Sudan League champions making their debut in the CECAFA tournament.
SC Villa, placed in a challenging Group C that also has APR FC (Rwanda) and Singida Black Stars (Tanzania), will return to action on Friday.
