Uganda Beat Zambia to Claim the 1976 CECAFA Crown

Uganda Cranes won the 1976 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup on 14 November, defeating Zambia 2–0 at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar. Captained by Jimmy Kirunda and coached by Peter Okee, Uganda secured the trophy with second-half goals from Timothy Ayiekoh and Abdullah Nasur. The triumph reversed Uganda’s 3–2 defeat to Zambia in the group stage. After beating Somalia and hosts Zanzibar, the Cranes advanced to the semi-finals, where Nasur scored twice in a 2–1 victory over Malawi. In the final, Ayiekoh opened the scoring in the 60th minute before Nasur added the second in the 76th. Paul Ssali kept goal as Uganda held Zambia scoreless to complete the victory. The title became a defining achievement of Uganda’s Golden Generation. The Cranes retained the regional crown in 1977 and went on to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final in 1978.