NAIROBI, Kenya, December 8- Captain Olivier Karekezi delivered the sting The Wasps of Rwanda needed to book their place in the finals of the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup following a 2-1 victory over hard fighting Sudan in the semis on Thursday.
Jean Claude Iranzi scored inside the opening 20 minutes to set Rwanda, arguably the most gifted side at this year’s edition off in the first match of the day at the National Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam.
The winger snapped the off-side trap to race into the area and completed a composed low finish following a looping cross from the left.
Sudan mounted their fight back but could not get through the Wasps as the sides departed for the break 1-0 to the good.
On resumption, Sudan did all the pressing but Kerekezi hit the post with a thundering low effort in the 66th minute as the follow-up effort just missed the base of the cross bar.
The ball went up the other end and Ramadhan Agab equalised to leave the match finally poised for a grandstand finish.
Sudan pressed for the winner but were caught cold when a quick throw saw Karekezi turn his marker before rifling a stinging shot past the keeper with ten minutes of regulation time remaining to seal the win.
Uganda were playing hosts and defending champions, Tanzania in the other semi later Thursday.