KAMPALA, Uganda, January 8 – Harambee Stars are through to the semi finals of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Senior Challenge Cup after beating Burundi 1-0 at the Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium in Kampala on Thursday.
Osborne Monday converted from the penalty spot deep in the second half to send Stars into the knockout stage of the tournament on Sunday, with help from Sudan who earlier beat Zambia 2-0 in the same venue.
Monday slotted in the penalty after Burundi goalkeeper Abu Ndayisenga fouled Francis Ouma in the 60th minute.
Stars assistant coach Yusuf Chippo who was standing in for the suspended Francis Kimanzi said, being the best ranked team Fifa side here (Uganda) they are expected to go all the way and win the tournament.
He said the performance from his team was much better was much better due to the good surface at Nakivubo.
Stars finished top of Group B with eight points followed by Burundi with seven while Zambia and Sudan finished level with five each.
Sudan who had a slow start in the tournament scored in the 33rd minute through captain Abdulhamid Amari who finished off a good combination between Balla Jabir and Safeldin Ali.
Eltahib Elmani scored the second in the 59th minute as it became obvious that the Zambians were struggling to get their footing in the match.
Zambia had a chance to snatch one back but Roger Kolas shot was parried off by goalkeeper Akram Echadi.
The semi final pairing will be completed today at the end of Group A matches that will see Zanzibar play Rwanda at 2pm while Tanzania take on Uganda at 4pm.
Gilbert Kanyenkorem, the Burundi coach said he was happy with his team’s performance noting that Kenya was a strong side.
He said he was surprised to be in the top two considering that the group had many giants.
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