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| Tanzania players celebrate after winning the Cecafa Under-20 Championship at the Fufa technical centre in Njeru, Uganda. Tanzania beat Kenya 1-0 in the final. |
Tanzania's Ngorongoro Heroes won the CECAFA Under 20 Championship after beating neighbours Kenya's Rising Stars 1-0 in a physical, “bloody” and mouthwatering clash final in Njeru, Uganda.
Ngorongoro Heroes started the game on a high note and needed six minutes to test Kenya's goalkeeper Brian Bwire in goal.
The Rising Stars conceded a free-kick about 35-yards from the goal and Israel Patrick Mwenda forced the goalkeeper to put away the ball for an unfruitful corner.
The Rising Stars conceded a free-kick about 35-yards from the goal and Israel Patrick Mwenda forced the goalkeeper to put away the ball for an unfruitful corner.
An own goal from towering defender John Otieno Onyango handed Tanzania the slim victory.
Onyango brushed home Israel Patrick Mwenda’s teasing free-kick past goalkeeper Brian Okoth Bwiire on the stroke of half time.
From that time, Kenya did not recover despite numerous attacks in the second stanza.
Onyango brushed home Israel Patrick Mwenda’s teasing free-kick past goalkeeper Brian Okoth Bwiire on the stroke of half time.
From that time, Kenya did not recover despite numerous attacks in the second stanza.
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| Tanzania's U-20 squad, Ngorongoro Heroes that beat Kenya's Rising Stars |
Kenya struggled to find their rhythm, lying deep in their half, allowing the opponents to roam and create chances at will.
In the 44th minute, the Stanley Okumbi-led side had a good opportunity to open the scoring when a good corner found John Otieno in a great position. However, the unmarked defender headed the ball just wide.
Immediately after the break, the defender was unfortunate to turn the ball into his net after a good counter-attack by the Tanzanians.
Benson Oluoch was introduced in the place of Otieno, and in the 53rd minute the striker almost equalised, but his effort sailed wide by inches.
Despite a flurry of attacks by Kenya, Tanzania held on to win the competition and clinch the trophy and gold medals.
Rising Stars coach Stanley Okumbi rued missed chances. “Football is a game of mistakes and sometimes you commit one and that makes the difference. That is what happened and we had our fair share of chances that we failed to take. Kudos to Tanzania, they did well and were obviously one of the best teams in the tournament. We now shift our focus to the Under 20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.”
Tanzania tactician Zuberi Katwila lauded his youngsters for the win. "We played Kenya in the group stage and we studied them thereafter. They play very physical football and that informed our decision to possess the ball more and deny them opportunities to attack. We also avoided careless mistakes at the back and I am very happy our strategy worked."
This is the second time for Tanzania to win the trophy, the first being in 1971.
Rising Stars coach Stanley Okumbi rued missed chances. “Football is a game of mistakes and sometimes you commit one and that makes the difference. That is what happened and we had our fair share of chances that we failed to take. Kudos to Tanzania, they did well and were obviously one of the best teams in the tournament. We now shift our focus to the Under 20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.”
Tanzania tactician Zuberi Katwila lauded his youngsters for the win. "We played Kenya in the group stage and we studied them thereafter. They play very physical football and that informed our decision to possess the ball more and deny them opportunities to attack. We also avoided careless mistakes at the back and I am very happy our strategy worked."
This is the second time for Tanzania to win the trophy, the first being in 1971.
Eritrea finished third after defeating Sudan by a solitary goal. - Africa
This team should be maintained to make a new Tanzania national team next year
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