Tanzania beat South Sudan to storm CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup final

BAHIR DAR, Ethiopia

Tanzania made it through to the final of the regional CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup after a hard fought 1-0 against South Sudan in a semi-final match played this afternoon in Bahir Dar city, Ethiopia.

The South Sudan team dominated the match, but the Tanzanian team came out winners after an own goal after Naftal Kelvin Nashon’s free kick was deflected after 64 minutes.

South Sudan’s forwards Dani Lual Gumanok and Emmanuel William put the Tanzanian defenders under a lot of pressure, but failed to find the target.

After 15 minutes Gumanok with goalkeeper to beat missed the target for South Sudan and Stephen Pawar Lony also had his well taken header parried out for a corner by Tanzanian goalkeeper Wilbol Maseke.

In the second half the Tanzanian team returned and pushed forward to find a goal, the pressure eventually paid off with the deflected goal by a South Sudan defender.

“I am happy that we are through to the final. But South Sudan gave us a very tough time and it was a tough semi-final match,’ said Tanzania’s head coach Kim Poulsen.

To reach the final Tanzania beat guest side DR Congo 1-0 and drew 1-1 with Uganda in the group stage, while South Sudan lost 2-0 to Kenya and stopped Djibouti by the same score.

Kenya’s Emerging Stars are facing Burundi in the second semi-final match at the Bahir Dar Stadium, Ethiopia.

Teams:

Tanzania: Wilbol Maseke, Nickson Kibabage, Lusajo Mwakenda, Sospeter Bajana, Meshack Mwamita, Reliant Lusajo, Kelvin Nashon, Abdulrazak Hamza, Yusuph Mhilu, Andrew Sinchimba and Israel Patrick (C).

South Sudan: Ramadan Mayik, Datha Stephen, Omot David, Mutwakil Abkar, Stephen Lony (C), Dominic Kornelio, Wani Adebo, Rehan Malong, William Emmanuel, Data Christopher and Dani Gumanok.