KAMPALA, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda's national football team Monday evening recovered from the loss to Uganda to beat Somalia 3-0 at Nakivubo stadium as the CECAFA (Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations) Senior Challenge Cup entered Day 6. After falling 4-0 to arch-rivals Uganda in the opening game last Thursday, the Amavubi Stars turned on the style on the wet surface during a heavy downpour with good inter-passing and good defensive mentality to shut out Somalia.
In-form Eric Gasana scored a brace in the 14th minute and with seven minutes to the end of first half. The Somalian defense led by Sidi Abdul and Mohamed Ali had a lot of trouble taking care of the goal hungry attack of Jean Lomami, Kamana Bokota and Gasana.
Kamana Bokota got his name on the score sheet in the 64th minute after some good work by Elis Ntaganda on the left flank.
"We are happy with this win because it has motivated us more," said Rwanda skipper Ismael Nshutuyamagara after the game.
Rwanda's Croatian coach Tucak Branko said his boys had responded well especially after losing the first game. "I want to thank my team for showing a positive attitude. It is good we are back in the tournament and I promise to beat Tanzania and Zanzibarto make it to the semifinals," said a confident Branko after the victory.
Somalia's coach and manager Mohamed Abdi Farah told Xinhua that his team completely failed to play on the wet surface.
"Rwanda was the better side and won the game," he noted.
In an earlier game, Tanzania beat Zanzibar 2-1.
Action resumes on Tuesday as Kenya's Harambee Stars will face Djibouti, while Burundi is to take on Sudan in an anticipated thriller at Bugembe stadium.
The regional tournament sponsored by British based GTV has a tune of 60,000 U.S. dollars as prize money at stake. The winner will walk away with 30,000 dollars, the runner-up 20,000 dollars and the third placed team 10,000 dollars.
Group A has Rwanda, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Somalia and hosts Uganda.
Group B has Sudan, Kenya, Zambia, Burundi and Djibouti.
Zambia was invited to replace Eritrea who withdrew from the championship citing a slippery political environment in the Horn of Africa nation. Table standings Group A
P W D L F A Pts
Uganda 2 1 1 0 4 0 4
Zanzibar 3 1 1 1 3 2 4
Tanzania 2 1 0 1 2 2 3
Rwanda 2 1 0 1 3 4 3
Somalia 3 1 0 2 1 5 3