CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup: Otieno guides Kenya past Djibouti

Striker Paul Reagan Otieno netted a brace to help Kenya’s Emerging Stars humble Djibouti 3-0 in a Pool C match played today at the on-going CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup in Ethiopia.

Otieno got his name on the score sheet after 11 minutes at the Bar Dar International Stadium. He was quick to out pace a defender and finished off with a curling shot.

The Djibouti team regrouped and started stringing passes together, but failed to find a goal. Djibouti’s Kalid Osman Ali and Idriss Mogueh all had chances, but failed to find the target.

After the interval Djibouti’s Hafid Said Awad blasted wide another good chance infront of the Kenyan goal.

Otieno scored his second goal after 64 minutes, before substitute Benson Oluoch Ochieng made it 3-0 two minutes to full time.

Stanley Khayo Okumbi, Kenya’s head coach was a happy man after the final whistle. “It is a good way to start a tournament, but we need to prepare well for our next game against South Sudan because they are a good side,” said Okumbi.

Djibouti’s coach Julien Mette blamed his team for failing to defend well despite trying to play good football. “We should have done better in defending,” said Mette.