Defending champions Kenya qualify for CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup semi final

Harambee Stars Stars of Kenya have booked a place in the semi final at the on-going 2019 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in Kampala, Uganda. The defending champions fought from a goal down to beat Sudan 2-1 in a Group B match played at the StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo on Tuesday.

Mohamed Abbas Namir gave Sudan the lead after 30 minutes when he met a high cross and slotted the ball past Kenya’s goalkeeper Samuel Odhiambo.

The Kenyan team continued to fight back and created two clear chances but failed to score. After 40 minutes Kenya’s Kenneth Muguna with the goalkeeper to beat failed to score.

In the second half Kenya’s stand in coach Zedekiah Otieno made some changes that paid off. After 66 minutes substitute Hassan Abdallah levelled for Kenya with a well timed header off a Kenneth Muguna free kick.

Kenya scored the winning goal after 77 minutes through hard working Oscar Wamalwa.

“I am happy that we are through to the semi final because our target is to retain the Cup,” said Kenya’s coach Otieno. He also made it clear that the team played for head coach Francis Kimanzi who was suspended for two matches for unsporting behavior.

Mohamed Mousa Dawoud, the Sudan coach said his team played well but were not lucky when it came to scoring. “We are still optimistic that we can beat Tanzania in the last game and qualify,” he added.

Tanzania who lost the first game 1-0 to Kenya where set to face Zanzibar Heroes in the second Group B match.