Burundi to face Kenya in CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup semi final

Coach Jimmy Ndayizeye’s Burundi team has qualified for the semi-final stage where they will face the Kenya Emerging Stars in the semi-final at the on-going CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup in Ethiopia.

Burundi fought from a goal down to hold the hosts Ethiopia to a 1-1 draw at the Bahir Dar International Stadium on Friday afternoon.

Ethiopia’s skipper Abubeker Nasir Ahmed and William Solomon Tesfaye kept the Burundi defenders busy for most of the first 30 minutes, but they failed to get an early goal.

After 40 minutes Burundi’s Asman Ndikumana had a clear chance, but headed wide from a well taken free kick. The Burundian defenders later failed to clear their lines to give Beshal Gugsa Chernet chance to slot the ball past goalkeeper Onesime Rukundo.

In the second half Burundi made some changes which eventually paid off when they leveled matters after 65 minutes. Defender Issa Hakizimana jumped high to nod in Ismail Nshimirimana’s well taken corner kick.

Ethiopia continued to push forward to try and find the winning goal, but failed to break the Burundian defenders who made several timely clearances.
As the Burundi team progresses to the semi final stage, hosts Ethiopia will have to wait for the results in the other groups to progress if they come out as second best. Burundi will now wait to face Kenya who topped Pool C with six points from two wins.

“It has been a very tough game and Ethiopia kept us under a lot of pressure. But I am glad we managed to get the draw and progress to the semi finals,” said Burundi’s coach Ndayizeye.

Wubetu Abate, the Ethiopian coach blamed it on failing to take their chances. “We created so many chances and failed to take them,” said a disappointed Abate.

Pool B final table standing

P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Burundi 2 1 1 0 4 1 3 4
Ethiopia 2 0 2 0 4 4 0 2
Eritrea 2 0 1 1 3 6 -3 1