10-man Tanzania stop Ethiopia in penalties to qualify for Afcon U-17

Tanzania have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) U-17 after defeating Ethiopia in the second semi-final match played on Sunday in the Zonal qualifiers on-going in Rwanda.

The 10-man Tanzanian side showed more calmness to stop Ethiopia 4-3 in penalty shoot-outs at the Umuganda Stadium after the two teams had settled for a 1-1 draw in the 90 minutes.

After the final whistle it was all celebrations for the Tanzanian players and their officials, while most Ethiopian players fell to the ground in tears.

Tanzania started the game on a high attacking in numbers, but the Ethiopian defense stood firm. After 31 minutes Tanzania’s Kassimu Yahaya with a good chance to score headed out at close range. But after 38 minutes Omari Bakari with a well taken free kick gave Tanzania the lead.

But after 38 minutes it was Ethiopia who took the lead through Yodahe Bakalo who beat Tanzanian goalkeeper Abdallah Hassani.
In the second half the Ethiopian team returned charged to fight back and redeem themselves. But after 69 minutes Tanzania’s Kassimu Yahaya Ibrahim was sent-off. The Ethiopian team levelled matters after 72 minutes through Mikiyas Ganta who tapped in at close range.

During the penalty shoot outs Tanzania’s goalkeeper Abdallah Hassani saved two kicks, while Ethiopia’s Tesfamaryam Omer saved one penalty kick.
Tanzania joined Uganda as the two representatives in the Cecafa region to play in the Afcon U-17 competition to take place in Morocco next year in March.

“We are glad the team has qualified for the Afcon U-17. It is by playing at some of these big tournaments that the players mature faster,” said Tanzania’s head coach Maalim Swalehe Mohamed.

A disappointed Ethiopian coach Endrias Berhanu Woldamanuel said his players did not push forward well enough after Tanzania were reduced to 10-men.

The play-off for third place and the final will be played on December 22nd.