Ibrahim Wanzala saved two penalties as Kenya U18 beat Tanzania U18 4-3 in post-match penalties after a scoreless draw in regular time to book their place in the CECAFA Under 18 finals.
Unexpected by the fans, Tanzania seems to have done proper work on their opponents and largely reduced the hosts to shots outside the box. The ever-threatening Kenya attack barely had a sniff at the opposition goal with Tanzania, having the best of chances in the earlier exchanges.
Ismail Ali and Zidane Sereri were a constant threat each time the Tanzania broke from their rapid counterattacks with the latter getting Baron Ochieng booked after the Kenyan pulled a rash challenge on him.
With the midfield looking lost and Kenya barely having a niff, coach Slim Babu brought Humphrey Aroko for Elly Owade at the break but it was the Tanzanians who had the first perfect chance in the second half when captain Amos Wanjala was forced to clear a goal-bound danger after the opposition had won a free kick.
Another sub saw Duncan Oluoch brought into the fray to add more firepower to the attack. The player seems to have been what the hosts lacked as his pace and pinpoint deliveries were too much for the Tanzanians who resorted to time-wasting tactics.
With the game ending goalless, it was time for extra time which just like normal time, ended with no goals. Kakamega Homeboyz keeper, Wanzala was to be the hero as his two penalty saves saw Kenya make it to the final where they will meet Uganda who beat Rwanda 1-0 in an earlier semi finals staged at the same ground.
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