It’s an Iddi show as Azam set CECAFA semis date with Gor

Isaac Swila in Dar, Tanzania

Iddi Shabani bagged an incredible four goals, three of them in the first-half, as defending champions Azam brushed aside Rayon Sports of Rwanda 4-2 to book a Wednesday semis date with Gor Mahia FC.

On this particular afternoon, when the sun shone brightly on the imposing 60,000 ultra-modern seater National Stadium here in Dar es Salaam, Iddi was simply unplayable, slicing through the Rayon Sports like a knife on a yam, and he did it at will, and in style!

Elegant and poised on the ball, Iddi opened his goal glut in the 17th minute when he thumped in a Ramadhan Singano corner to give Azam the lead after a slow opening 15 minutes.

The marauding winger was at hand to grab his brace, a neat finish from the box, volleying to the roof of the net in the 33rd minute, before claiming his hat-trick, five minutes later, this time capitalising on the goalkeeping error of Rayon custodian Ndayisenga to slot in.

Abdul Rwatubyaye did pull one back for the outfoxed Rayon after the break, but the undone Iddi had other plans, twisting the knife on the back of Rayon with an assured finish in the 63rd minute, his fourth of the match.

Djamel Manishimwe then scored Rayon`s second with four minutes left but it was an effort in futility.

With such an assured display, the stage is now set for a ferocious semis battle between Kenyan representatives Gor Mahia and Azam when they collide.

On the same ground, Azam bruised Gor in the Cup final in 2015, a squad that had amongst others, Michael “Engineer” Olunga on parade, and K`Ogalo will be motivated to pull a revenge.

At the National Stadium, it could have been an easy five for Azam had skipper Aggrey Moris not blasted a first-half penalty wide, awarded after Rayon`s Olivier Niyonzima had blocked a Shaban Iddi goal bound shot with his hands.

SQUADS 

Azam

Starting Eleven: Razak Abalora, Aggrey Moris,Abdul Haji, Bruce Kangwa, Abdallah Kheri, Mudathir Yahya, Joseph Mahundi, Frank Domayi, Iddi Shaban, Ditram Nchimbi, Ramadhan Singano

Substitutes: Ali Mwandini, Oscar Masai, Nicolas Wadada, Salum Abubakar, Mbaraka Yusuph, Yahya Zayd, Enock Atta

Rayon Sports: Nyayisenga Kassim, Pierre Kwizera,Saddam Nyandwi, Eric Rutanga, Thierry Manzi, Yannick Mukunzi, Abdul Rwatubyaye, Ismaillaw Diarra, Olivier Niyonzima, Kevin Muhire Djamel Manishimwe

Substitutes: Gerard Bikorimana, Gabriel Mugabo, Christ Mbondi, Faustin Usengimana, Eric Irambona, Caleb Bon Fils, Mugisha Francois