Kenya beat Rwanda to storm CECAFA U-18 Boys Championship semi final stage

Hosts Kenya are through to the semi-final stage at the on-going CECAFA U-18 Boys Championship.

After winning their opening match 5-0 against Somalia, the hosts registered another win stopping Rwanda 1-0 in their second Group A match played at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium.

Aldrine Kibet netted the solitary goal after 37 minutes when he shot from outside the box to beat the Rwanda goalkeeper Yvan Ruhamyanyiko. The hosts tried to push forward to try and find more goals, but the Rwanda defenders stood firm.

Amos Emmanuel Wanjala, the Kenya captain said they are happy to win a second straight match and qualify for the semi final. ” We need to continue working hard because there are more matches to come, ” added Wanjala.

The Rwanda coach Baptiste Kayiranga admitted they played against a strong Kenyan side, but added that his players didnot play well. ” We need to go back and prepare well for the last group match against Sudan, ” added Kayiranga.

In the second match Somalia defeated Sudan 3-0 to improve their chances of making it to the knock out stage. Idris Bilal gave Somalia the lead after 26 minutes as the first half ended 1-0.

After recess Mohad Abdulkadir and Mohamed Daud scored two more goals for Somalia. Omar Ahmed Mohamed, the Somalia coach said it was good to win their second match. ” We know Kenya is playing good football and has won two matches now. But we shall prepare well because we need to defeat Kenya in our last group match, ” added the Somalia coach.

Mustasim Khalid Omer El Taher, the Sudan team blamed their second defeat in the competition to limited training. ” We trained for few days because of the security challenges in our country. But we shall prepare well for our last group match against Rwanda, ” he added.

On Wednesday action returns to Kakamega with Tanzania facing South Sudan in the first Group B match, while Zanzibar battle Uganda in the second match.

 Group A table

                  P    W    D    L   GF  GA  GD  Pts

Kenya       2     2     0    0    6     0     6     6

Somalia    2     1     0    1    3     1     2     3

Rwanda    2     1     0    1    1     1     0     3

Sudan       2     0     0    2    0     8    -8     0