It was the tournament’s meanest defense in Azam up against the ruthless attack of Gor Mahia in the final of the 2015 CECAFA Kagame Cup on Sunday at the Tanzania National Stadium. Azam came into the final with five straight clean sheets scoring a total of nine goals while Gor Mahia had netted 14 goals in six games.
After 16 minutes, John Bocco struck, before Kipre Tchetche put the icing on the cake midway the second half to give Azam a 2-0 win to win the regional title in only their second final appearance.
Quick reaction in the semis against Khartoum had given the K’Ogalo a decent 3-1 win, but Azam were in no mood to give away such chances. Aggrey Moris Ambrose and Morald Said Hussein led by the intolerable Pascal Wawa showcased high levels of defensive discipline.
Tournament leading scorer Michael Olunga and arguably the tournament Most Valuable Player felt the rage. It wasn’t only Olunga struggling, Meddie Kagere, Innocent Wafula, and Geoffrey Walusimbi all in turns tested Azam’s mean defense.
Manula Aishi Salum proved that it wasn’t his defense that was making him look good in Azam’s goal, in the final he was up to the task in moments his defense was beaten.
Five minutes after the break, Tchetche would have increased that lead; his effort from the left beat Gor’s custodian Boniface Olouch but the woodwork denied the Ivorian import. Khalid fouled Jean Mugiranenza 25 yards from the goal mouth, Tchetche shot and Gor’s goalie Boniface Olouch stayed flat footed as the ball found the back of the net on 65 minutes.
It was Tchetche’s fourth of the campaign. Abouba Sibomana also got himself in trouble with the man in red, Louis Hakizimana when he fouled Bocco.
Five time champions Gor Mahia tried to get back into the game but all in vain despite being motivated to be playing in their first final since 1985.
The Championship was Azam’s maiden regional title since their inception on June 24, 2007, adding to the two Vodacom Premier League title won in 2013 and 2014.
Gor Mahia Starting XI:
Boniface Oluoch, Musa Muhammed, Abouba Sibomana, Harun Shakava, Karim Nizigiyimana, Innocent Wafula, Khalid Aucho, Godfrey Walusimbi, Meddie Kagere, Michael Olunga, Erick Ochieng Subs: Fredrick Onyango, George Odhiambo, Ronald Omino, Collins Okoth, Enock Agwanda, Dirkir Glay, Ali Hassan Abondo
Azam Starting XI:
Manula Aishi Salum, John Bocco, Aggrey Moris Ambrose, Morald Said Hussein, Pascal Wawa, jean Mugiranenza, Mkami Himid Mao, Shah Faridi Musa, Ammy Ali, Shomari Kapombe, Kipre Tchetche Subs: Ali Mwadini, Kheri Abdallah Salum, Domayo Frank Raymond, Abbas Mudathir Yahya, Erasto Nyoni, Didier Kavumbagu, Gadiel Michael Kamagi
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS:
MVP – Pascal Serge Wawa (Azam)
Best Goalkeeper – Boniface Olouch (Gor Mahia)
Best Defender – Pascal Serge Wawa (Azam)
Top Scorer – Michael Olunga (Gor Mahia) – 5 Goals
