Football

Kenya’s Junior Stars qualify for CECAFA under-18 final after beating Tanzania on post-match penalties

The Kenya national under-18 men’s football team Junior Stars in action against Tanzania in the CECAFA Under-18 Championship at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, Kisumu (Photo: Cecafa Online/Twitter)

By Sports Reporter | Tuesday, December 5, 2023

In the other semi-final, Young Uganda Cranes beat Rwanda 1-0 courtesy of a 56th-minute strike from Abubaker Mayanja.

The Kenya national under-18 men’s football team Junior Stars have qualified for the finals of the 2023 Council of East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) Under-18 Championship. This is after they beat neighbours Tanzania 4-3 on post-match penalties at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, Kisumu.

After the game ended in a barren draw after extra time, Kakamega Homeboyz goalkeeper Ibrahim Wanzala stepped up to be the hero of the afternoon, saving two penalties to put an end to a mouthwatering encounter

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The penalty shootout commenced with Tanzania's Benjamin Ramadhan calmly converting, one which was bravely answered by Kenya's Collins Omondi. Wanzala's exceptional save denied Tanzania's Said Said the second penalty, as Amos Wanjala secured Kenya's lead at 2-1. Inja Dida scored for Tanzania to equalise 2-2. Kenya's Stanley Omondi had his attempt saved by goalkeeper Anthony Pemba, despite the opportunity to make it 3-2.

Falice Ingunde and Humphrey Aroko then scored for Tanzania and Kenya, respectively, bringing the score to 3-3. Wanzala's remarkable save against Wilson Shariff's penalty kept Kenya's hopes alive, as the decisive moment came when Syphas Otieno successfully securing a spot in the final by planting the ball past Pemba, much to the delight of the enthusiastic crowd.

Congratulations 🎊 Team Kenya U18 for making it to CECAFA U18 Boys Championship Finals.
In a match that ended into extra time, spot kicks swung Kenya's way .

Kenya 🇰🇪 4️⃣ - 3️⃣Tanzania 🇹🇿 #cecafau18 #cecafa #cecafasemifinals #kenyavstanzania #kenyau18 #tanzaniau18 pic.twitter.com/gijb6dYklT

— Cecafaonline (@Cecafaonline) December 5, 2023

In the other semi-final, Young Uganda Cranes beat Rwanda 1-0 courtesy of a 56th-minute strike from Abubaker Mayanja.

The final is set to be staged in Kisumu on Friday, December 8, 2023, as Rwanda and Tanzania battle it out for a third-place finish in the curtain raiser.