Spot-on Rwandans put out the fire in Harambee Stars title defence
Dejected Harambee Stars players leave the pitch following their 3-1 loss to Zanzibar in their final Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup Group B match on November 26, 2015. Kenya was eliminated from the Competition after going down 5-3 on post-match penalties to Rwanda on December 1, 2015. PHOTO | STAFFORD ONDEGO |
What you need to know:
- End of the road for Kenya after defeat
- Rwanda will now meet Sudan in the semis Thursday after the latter beat South Sudan 5-3 via spot kicks at the same venue in a 1pm clash following a 0-0 draw in normal time.
IN ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
Harambee Stars’ dream of defending the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup went up in smoke on Tuesday after they lost 5-3 on post-match penalties to Rwanda’s Amavubi Stars in the quarter-final at the National Stadium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Following a barren draw in regulation time, Rwanda converted all their five spot kicks through Jacques Tuyisenge, Abdul Rwatubyaye, Djihad Bizimana, Haruna Niyonzima and Isaie Songa.
Kenya were however unlucky from the spot, converting three through Noah Abich, David “Calabar” Owino and substitute Jesse Were while Eric Johanna had his attempt parried by the Amavubi goalkeeper.
In a post-match interview, Harambee Stars coach Bobby Williamson blamed the media for the defeat.
“I’m disappointed with the defeat, all thanks to the media which is working against us,” the Scot said. “We need the support of everyone — the media included.”
Williamson went on: “To be honest, I could not find people to take the penalties and Eric Johanna stepped up.”
Amavubi begun strongly, rattling the Kenyan defence when Dominique Savio made an attempt on goal but custodian Boniface Oluoch made a timely intervention to save from the line.
With five minutes to go and the game still deadlocked, Williamson brought in striker Were for midfielder Clifton Miheso as Ali Abondo also came on for Jacob Keli in what was a choreographed plan to have many penalty takers in anticipation of the post-match shootout.
But Kenya could not find the magic in the lotteries.
Stars had its fair share of chances, with lead striker Michael Olunga’s shot from the right flank in the 17th minute lacking precision.
Ten minutes later, striker Keli, who plies his trade with Nkana in Zambia, could have put Kenya ahead after Olunga picked him in the six-yard box with a low diagonal pass but he failed to make the vital connection.
Keli missed again from a tight angle in the box with a quarter of an hour left as Stars bowed out of the premier regional tournament.
Rwanda will now meet Sudan in the semis Thursday after the latter beat South Sudan 5-3 via spot kicks at the same venue in a 1pm clash following a 0-0 draw in normal time.
STARS LINE-UP
Boniface Oluoch, Noah Abich, Omar Mbongi, David Ochieng, David Owino, Collins Okoth, Anthony Akumu, Eric Johanna, Clifton Miheso (Jesse Were, 86), Michael Olunga, Jacob Keli (Ali Abondo, 87)
