By Our Reporter
Grace Wekesa was on target four times as Makerere University whitewashed hosts Kenyatta University (K.U) 4-1 in women’s football at the ongoing 10th edition of All Africa University Games in Nairobi.
Wekesa found the back of the net in the 3rd, 8th, 48th and 52nd minutes to give her side a deserved victory in the opening encounter.
The hosts pulled one back through Esther Sidi in the 47th minute.
“We are happy with this first victory, it’s an indication of good things in this tournament,” Makerere captain Nalubega Yudayah said after the match.
“The early goals we had gave us confidence in the game,” she added.
Despite the heavy loss, KU head coach Tobias Ochola praised his girls saying they gave good accounts of themselves.
“We had limited time to prepare for this championships owing to the heavy course work at the university. It is our first time participating in this tournament and I hope it ends well for us,” said Ochola.
At the same time, defending champions Makerere University Business Studies (MUBS) edged KU 2-0 in men’s football at the venue where the host’s fans thronged to cheer their side up.
But the hosts were left heartbroken when Munir Said fired MUBS ahead in the first half from the spot after a KU player was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.
Raymond Watakire doubled the visitors lead in the second-half with a clinical header.
University of Zambia also revived their hopes of clinching the trophy by piping Makerere University 1-0 in another cutthroat competition of the day.
MUBS made their intention in the continental championships known by thrashing American University of Cairo 5-1 on Monday.
They now top Pool A with six points.
“Just like our institution name, we mean business in this tournament,” MUBS coach Charles Lukula reiterated.
“We take each game like a final, so it is not by accident that we have won all our matches convincingly,” he said.
“I expected a tough challenge against them [KU] because they are playing at home and also have Ocholla who is a revered coach in the East African region,” he added.
Lukula cited their attack as the area they need to sharpen more since they create a lot of chances but fail to convert them.
On Monday, KU dismissed a stubborn Gamal Abdel Nasser University of Conakry from Guinea by a solitary goal.
In pitch B, Zulu Weluzant’s 25th minute strike is all University of Zambia needed to see off Makerere University. Coach Peter Sayila of Zambia was elated by the slim victory saying: “I am happy today because the boys played well after discussing with them last evening after a lot of lapses.
“I told them we are capable of doing well and we played well and defended the game and we are ready for our next fixture which is against University of Development Studies from Ghana,” the coach said.
In their opening match of the competition, the Zambians battled to a 2-2 draw with Kisii University.
