Rwanda join hosts Kenya in CECAFA U-18 Boys Championship semi finals

Rwanda have qualified for the semi final stage to join hosts Kenya at the on-going CECAFA U-18 Boys Championship 2023.

The Junior Amavubi silenced Sudan 3-0 in a Group A match played at the Jomo Kenyaata Stadium in Kisumu on Friday.

Didie Ndayishimiye gave Rwanda the lead after 37 minutes with a cool finish past the Sudan goalkeeper Ahmed Alkhdeer. The Sudan team tried to play a highly defensive approach, but the Rwanda team kept attacking in numbers.

After recess Kenedy Hoziyana converted a penalty after 56 minutes to send Rwanda 2-0, and Jean Paul Irakoze made it 3-0 after 84 minutes.

The Rwanda head coach Baptiste Kayiranga said he was happy his team had picked a win and qualified for the semi final stage. ” We go into the semis with two wins and one defeat. We now need to keep working hard because I know the teams qualifying from Group B are also strong, ” added Kayiranga.

In the second Group A match played in Kisumu, the hosts Kenya maintained their 100% winning run after a 4-1 victory against Somalia. The win saw the hosts finish top of Group A.

Abdihafid Abdi silenced the Kenyan crowd when he gave Somalia the lead after 19 minutes. But Kenya fought back to score a brace through Humphrey Omondi and a goal each for Stanley Omondi and Aldrine Kibet.

Omondi who netted a brace for Kenya said they are happy they won all three matches in the group, but now have to focus on the knock out. ” We call upon the fans to continue supporting us as we get into the semi final next, ” added Omondi.

Action returns on Saturday with two Group B matches as Uganda face South Sudan in Kisumu, and Tanzania battle Zanzibar in Kakamega. All the four teams have three points each.

Group A table

                  P    W    D    L   GF  GA  GD  Pts

Kenya       3     3     0    0    10    1     9     9

Somalia    3     1     0    2    4     5     -1     3

Rwanda    3     2     0    1    4     1      3     6

Sudan       3     0     0    3    0    11   -11   0