Kenya plot for Somalia with eye on semis berth
What you need to know:
- The Michael Amenga-led side top the group with four points, while Somalia are in second place with the same number of points, but inferior goal difference after two rounds of games.
- Ethiopia are third and Burundi fourth, both with a single point.
- Kenya kicked off their campaign in style whipping Burundi 4-0 last Saturday.
Kenya have set sights on nailing a semi-final slot in the ongoing Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) Under-17 Championship in Burundi.
The junior Harambee Stars were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Ethiopia in a Group “A” match on Tuesday at Gitega stadium. A similar result was registered between Somalia and hosts Burundi in another Group “A” match at Ngozi stadium.
The Michael Amenga-led side top the group with four points, while Somalia are in second place with the same number of points, but inferior goal difference after two rounds of games.
Ethiopia are third and Burundi fourth, both with a single point.
Kenya kicked off their campaign in style whipping Burundi 4-0 last Saturday. Isaiah Abwal, a student at St Anthony’s Kitale, was the star grabbing a brace in the match, while Christopher Raila and Nicholas Omondi also recorded their names on the score sheet with a goal each.
An entertaining final round of preliminaries is expected on Friday after participants rested on Thursday.
Kenya tackles Somalia at Muyinga Stadium in battle for top spot while Burundi will be up against Ethiopia in Gitega.
“We are not taking any chance on Friday. We know a draw will see us through but we want to sign off in style,” said team captain Arnold Onyango.
“If we underrate Somalia then we shall be in trouble because they too are a good side. Our focus is a win of many goals because we want to qualify for the semi-finals and fight harder to win the cup,” added the promising defensive midfielder who is playing as a makeshift centreback in Burundi.
Ethiopia is without three of their key players namely Ahmed Nasir, Lomene Mesfia and Muse Kebela who were expelled on Sunday for being overage.
They featured in Ethiopia’s 3-1 win over Somalia.
As a consequence, Ethiopian federation was fined Sh500,000, refundable to world football governing body, Fifa, and forfeited their Group “A” match versus Somalia on a 3-0 basis.
The rule also hit Zanzibar who came with 12 ineligible players hence being disqualified and fined Sh1.5 to leave Group “B” with three teams.
FRIDAY'S FIXTURES
Kenya v Somalia (Muyinga Stadium, 3.30pm)
Burundi v Ethiopia (Gitega Stadium, 3.30pm)
