The Uganda Beach Soccer Team (Sand Cranes) started the Copa Dar es Salaam Beach Soccer Tournament on a high note after defeating hosts Tanzania in a shootout.

The scoreboard indicated three on each side at the end of the three normal periods pushing the game to the extra three minutes which weren’t also enough to separate the two sides.

Lule Paul scored in his own net during the first period of the game giving the hosts an early lead while Davis Kasujja leveled for Uganda after a few minutes thus ending the first period on the level.

Godfrey Lwesibawa headed in the second which separated the two sides at the start of the second period but Jaruph Juma restored parity till the end of the second period.

Stephano Wales and Lule Paul scored for Tanzania and Uganda respectively during the third period thus forcing the official to push the game to extra three minutes which seemed too little for more goals to separate the two sides.

More pressure mounted on both sides when the first referee blew the final whistle calling for shootouts to separate the two sides.

Godfrey Lwesibawa wasn’t afraid to lead the way and converted the first penalty for Uganda and then came time for team skipper and custodian Meddie Kibirige to save his team which he did by comfortably stopping Tanzania’s Abdulkadir Ally Tabib.

Uganda’s Magwali Ronald shoot wide to give the hosts some hope of coming back to the game. Juma Sultan Ibrahim shot wide the second one for Tanzania and Byarunga Rica didn’t no mistake rather than converting the last one for the Sand Cranes sending very one into wild celebrations.

The Sand Cranes now stand the second log with one point second to Seychelles with three points after winning their first game against Burundi 6-3.

Team captain Meddie Kibirige thanked fellow players for the spirited fight and asked them to reserve the celebrations for the final match when the team lifts the trophy.

‘I thank my teammates for the spirited fight for the tireless efforts which have led us to victory. It hasn’t been an easy encounter but a point form the hosts is enough for us to build on in our efforts to win the championship’ Said Kibirige

The Sand Cranes return to the pitch