Amavubi Stars storm CECAFA semifinals

Thursday Semi finals Uganda vs Ethiopia Sudan vs Rwanda Tuesday Rwanda 0-0 Kenya (5-3 Rwanda wins on penalties) South Sudan 0-0 Sudan (Sudan won 3-5 on penalties) Monday Uganda 2-0 Malawi Ethiopia 1-1 Tanzania (Ethiopia won 4-3 on penalties) Rwanda national football team, Amavubi, have booked a semifinal ticket at the ongoing CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup after eliminating Harambee Stars of Kenya in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Amavubi beat Kenya in penalty shootouts, 5-3, after both sides played out a goalless draw on Tuesday in Addis Ababa. Haruna Niyonzima, who came off the bench a few minutes to stoppage time – replacing Yussuf Habimana – converted the first penalty before JacquesTuyisenge, Djihad Bizimana, Isaie Songa Celestin Ndayishimiye also found the net for Amavubi. Veteran goalkeeper Eric ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye saved the spot kick from Eric Johana Omondi, while Noah Abich Otieno, David Owino, Eric Omondi and Jesse scored for the Harambe Stars. Rwanda will now meet Sudan in the semifinal, the latter having also progressed following a 5-3 shootout victory against South Sudan earlier in the day. The two sides had also settled for a goalless draw during normal time. The man of the match was Amavubi captain Jacques Tuyisenge, who has so far scored 3 goals in the tourney. Yesterday’s win was sweet revenge for Amavubi who lost to Kenya (1-0), two years ago; when Kenya went on to win the CECAFA Cup in Nairobi. Kenya dominated the early stages of the match with Jacob Keli having a close shot at goal, only to find an alert Eric Nshimiyimana. Another chance went to Kenya’s Jacob Keli whose well calculated header was saved by Eric Ndayishimiye. The pressure on Amavubi was intense as the team conceded three corner kicks in four minutes. A good cross from Dominique Nshuti Savio created the first chance for Amavubi, but Yussuf Habimana failed to beat goalie Boniface Oluoch. The first half ended with Kenya proving a better side. Things seemed to be getting in place for Amavubi in the second half as Dominique Nshuti came close to scoring but a good save from the Kenyan goalie denied him the chance and the game was later to end in a goalless draw after regular time. Sudan will meet Amavubi after beating South Sudan in shootouts (5-3) after both sides played out goalless draw. In other matches, Uganda will meet hosts Ethiopia after the two eliminated Malawi and Tanzania respectively, on Monday.

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Amavubi Stars storm CECAFA semifinals