CECAFA U18 Championship: Who will join Kenya and Rwanda in semis?
In Group B, all the four teams have identical stats, which means it is going right down to the wire on the final day of the group stage.
From left: Zanzibar, Uganda, Tanzania and South Sudan can all advance from Group B to the semifinals of the CECAFA U18 Boys Championship 2023 in Kenya. (Credit: CECAFA)
NewVision Reporter
@NewVision
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CECAFA U18 BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP 2023
It's crunch time as the CECAFA U18 Boys Championship 2023 in Kenya warms everyone up for the knockout stage.
The two semifinalists from Group A are now known. For now, the identity of the other pair remains a mystery — but it won't be for long.
On Friday, Rwanda made quick work of Sudan with an emphatic 3-0 win to book their last-four spot to join hosts Kenya.
Having already sealed their progression with a game to spare, Kenya still went ahead and dispatched Somalia in a 4-1 result also on Friday to maintain their high-scoring and blemishless form in a determined quest to clinch the title.
The two Group A games unfolded simultaneously: as Rwanda entertained Sudan in Kisumu, Kenya faced off with Somalia in Kakamega, an estimated 50 kilometres apart.
At Bukhungu Stadium, Somalia took the lead 19 minutes into the game through Abdihafid Abdi. Six minutes later, Humphrey Aroko levelled matters, before compatriot Stanley Wilson Omondi made it two to send Kenya into the break leading.
Aroko made it three after the interval and Aldrine Kibet summarized a dominant display from the hosts with his third goal of the tournament, which lifts him to the top of the goalscoring charts.
Kenya completed the group stage with a 100% winning record, scoring 10 goals and conceding one.
Meanwhile, at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, Didier Ndayishimiye put Rwanda in front against Sudan eight minutes before the break.
Then just after the hour mark, Kenedy Hoziyana sent the Sudanese goalkeeper the wrong way with a composed finish from the spot to improve Rwanda's lead.
Jean Paul Irakoze wrapped up the comprehensive win six minutes before time to send the boys in yellow-and-blue into the semis.
Who goes through?
Sudan and Somalia have exited the competition.
That's two down, two to go.
Focus now turns to Group B, whose standings make for interesting reading. All the four teams, each with a win and a defeat, have eerily identical statistics.
Going into the final group game, Uganda, Tanzania, Zanzibar and South Sudan know they each have the same mathematical chance of going through.
Uganda will duel with South Sudan as Tanzania lock horns with Zanzibar to determine who will progress and who will march out.
The semifinals and final will be played next week in Kisumu.
How Group A has ended...
How Group B stands...
