Ethiopia’s 3rd

Dec 27, 2004

ASHERNAFI Girma failed to get to the score chart, but was the architect as Ethiopia deservedly lifted the CECAFA Al-Amoudi Senior Challenge Cup for the third time in the tournament's 28-year history. They lifted the trophy in 1987 and 2001.

By Norman Katende
in Addis Ababa

Final

Ethiopia 3 Burundi 0

Third place play-off


Sudan 2 Kenya 1

ASHERNAFI Girma failed to get to the score chart, but was the architect as Ethiopia deservedly lifted the CECAFA Al-Amoudi Senior Challenge Cup for the third time in the tournament's 28-year history. They lifted the trophy in 1987 and 2001.

Ethiopian President Girma Wolde Giorgis and sponsor Dr. Sheikh Mohammed Al-Amoudi attended the final at Addis Ababa National Stadium on Saturday.

Though seeing his many efforts saved, Girma made two of the three goals scored on a passionate night, to send the home fans that had filled the stadium stands to capacity wild with joy, and condemn Burundi to an extra year of waiting before they feel a CECAFA trophy. This was Burundi's best performance in the tournament.

Burundi, already scared of the hostile fans who booed them on entry and whenever they made a good move, failed to leave any impact with striker Lewis Kubi and playmaker Said Ntabazonkiza being locked out.

The only time Kubi came nearer to scoring was in the third minute when he was set up in the box by Claude Nahimana, but only to fire above the bar.

Girma then took a curving free kick outside the box, which was punched out by alert Burundian goalkeeper Vlandamir Niyonkuru. The Burundi custodian went on to stop Sebsabea Shegere's and Antineh Alemerew’s tries.

However luck ran out on 25 minutes when Girma got another free kick, a result of Burundi's Ali Kudra’s rough play, which he curved for Anaualem Negusse to head home.

Girma was not out yet, making another dribble in the midfield before realising that Tafese Tesfaye, who had wasted most chances was free. He sent a long cross to him and this time, Tesfaye made no mistake, controlling it well, dribbling past a defender before sending a shot that bounced off the far post into the net for Ethiopia to rest with a 2-0 cushion.

Nahimana was again caught off guard just after the interval when his good reflex reactions deserted him.

He watched Alemerew dribble past two defenders before he sent a not-so-dangerous shot to the far post, tried to dive but was too late as the game was put beyond reach.

The second half introduction of Divin Gatereste for Ntabazonkiza, brought life in Burundi's game, but not goals.

“I am glad we won. We played a good game,” said Ethiopia captain Zewdu Bekele after lifting the trophy from President Worde.
Ethiopian coach Asrat Haile said that the win was a profit to their good organisation and teamwork.
“We had little time to train but we were a good team and that is the result.”

Meanwhile, Hythan Kamal hit a brace to help Sudan finish in third place.

The Sudanese youthful striker struck in either half against Kenya, who were playing without team captain Tom Juma – sent off in the semi-finals.

Kamal got the ball from the sidelines, dribbled past one Kenya defender and made a run towards the box. He stopped as if looking for a support player to give a pass then tipped the ball in the net past a helpless Kenyan keeper Francis Onyango.

Sudan's one-touch passes overwhelmed Kenya's midfield but not their composed defence of Zabron Amanaka, Pascal Ochieng and Abdalahi Adam, that worked tirelessly to stop the onslaught.

But their luck ran out when Kamal, well placing himself in the box on 55 minutes was spotted by Alaeldin Ahmed, who set him up to take a strong shot into the roof.
Kenya then woke up and started playing a good game. Their semi-final comeback looked to resurrect for the Kenyans when John Baraza dribbled towards the box and beat Sudan's diving keeper El Rashid Faisal to pull one back, though it was not enough to call for a penalty shootout.

“We are a good team. In fact we are the best in the region. It is just that we are unlucky,” said Sudanese coach Ramadhan Maulib, who was also bundled out at the semi-final stage by Uganda last year.

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