SC Villa Held by APR FC in CECAFA Kagame Cup

CECAFA Kagame Cup

Group C

Villa 1-1 APR

Singida 3️-1 Al Elmerriekh

Standings

APR         7pts

Villa         5points

Singida     3pts

Elmerriekh 1pt 

SC Villa came from behind to draw 1-1 with APR FC in their Cecafa Kagame Cup Group C final match on Monday.

Villa's chances in the tournament took a hit as five players were ruled out of their crucial match against APR FC due to injuries. The injured players included Ronald Sekiganda, Reagan Mpande, Charles Lwanga, Diego Semugera, and Norman Angufindru.

Ronald Sekiganda, who played in the first game against Al Merreikh, missed the second game against Singida Black Stars SC and was also sidelined for the APR match. Reagan Mpande, who scored a goal in the second game, was another key player who missed the match due to injury.

The injuries forced Villa's coach to make changes to the starting lineup, with Peter Onzima replacing Mpande and Edward Masembe starting in Semugera's position.

The match saw APR FC take the lead in the 30th minute through a Dushimana Olivier header from a corner. However, Najib Yiga equalized for the Jogoos in first-half extra time, ensuring the teams went into halftime level.

The second half saw both teams create chances, but neither could find the winner. The draw means  Villa's hopes of reaching the semi-finals depend on results from other groups.

In the second Group C match Singida Black Stars FC defeated El Merriekh Bentiu 3-1 at the Azam Complex, Chamazi.

The Tanzania Premier League side that lost their first two matches took a 2-0 first-half lead with goals from Marouf Tchakeh and Edmund John. After the interval, Jack James pulled one back for the South Sudan side after 47 minutes.

But the Tanzania Premier League side continued pushing forward and scored their third goal through Ayou Lyanga.

The Jogoos needed a win to reach the semi-finals, but the draw left them in second place with five points, two behind APR who has seven points and had only needed a draw to confirm their place in the semis.

The result means Villa's hopes of reaching the semi-finals depend on results from other groups, with Red Arrows potentially finishing second in Group B with six points if they beat ASAS Telecom on Tuesday.