Hosts Harambee Stars played their best game since the kickoff of the tournament edging Kilimanjaro Stars 1-0 in the delayed second semifinal match of this year’s GO-TV CECAFA Challenge Cup played under flood lights at Nyayo stadium Tuesday evening.
At Mombasa Municipal stadium, a second venue for another semifinal, Sudan maintained their classic performance by dumping former African champions Chipolopolo of Zambia on a 2-1 win. Sudan and Kenya will now face off in the finals on Thursday but earlier in the day, losers Tanzania and Zambia will battle for the third place.
Kenya had a rare near-perfect day this evening and it was a double act of beauty that gave them an early goal. They then played tactfully throughout the 90 minutes to completely deny Tanzania any breakthrough.
Just after four minutes, Anthony “Teddy” Akumu who had a brilliant performance as a defensive midfielder fired from 40 metres out, a thundering shot his Gor Mahia teammate in the Tanzania goal, Ivo Mapunda could only block but Clifton Miheso was again near to net a re-bound ball.
And it would have been 2-0, just a short while later. Edwin Lavatsa, tearing down the right flank had a perfect square ball into the six-yard box and after it went past Allan Wanga who lost his footing, Miheso needed to just keep the ball down and score on the same spot.
Good move for Amrouche
If the score had been 2-0 that early it probably would have made the semi-final a no-contest.
But instead it was a long thrilling match in which Harambee Stars showed that out spoken Adel Amrouche, with team only for a while, had a promising coaching blue print. Kenya that last won this championship in 2002 are getting close to their 6th title.
His team’s approach brought out just how good the playmaking midfielder Francis Kahata is. And a little more; that he needs serious strength and conditioning to discourage tougher men from bullying him when he takes the mickey out of them with his glorious skills.
Also, each of Amrouche’s men on the night seemed so fired up and able in their roles that it was always going to be a very good night for Harambee Stars.
The defence played as they had been rated — excellent; with the veterans James Situma and Joackins Atudo really appreciating and being comfortable with young blood David Owino and upstart Aboud Omar.
Peter Opiyo had absolutely no trouble as the lynchpin in the middle of the park, orchestrating moves for Kahata and an excellent Lavatsa on the right wing.
The Gor Mahia flier seemed to have the easiest of instructions; pick up every ball and race, top pace, every time as far he could before making the cross. The Kilimanjaro Stars’ defence had a harrowing time throughout the match trying to keep up with Lavatsa.
Bad day for Samata, Ulimwengu
The possibility of levelling remained, the time-tested Kili Stars throwing in everything. But TP Mazembe Stars Mbwana Samatta and Thomas Ulimwengu, and speedster Mrisho Ngassa made an attacking trio fed well by Amri Kiemba playing just behind them. They, however, could not intimidate Harambee Stars. The two players had a bad day compared to their past two matches.
Earlier Harambee Stars had threatened for a third time, Kahata doing like Akumu had done for the first goal, but Wanga just fell an inch short of reaching the rebound from another Mapunda fumble before the Gor Mahia ‘keeper re-gathered the ball.
After the break, Kili Stars had their best chance of the match when Opiyo lost Kenya’s possession and Ulimwengu sent a booming shot that beat ‘keeper Duncan Ochieng’ but the crossbar came to the rescue.
But then when Kahata was fouled in the 66th minute to earn Kenya a free kick Lavatsa curved it well and Mapunda just managed to tip it over the bar.
On the night, Harambee Stars were so cohesive that Amrouche looked like he would leave the XI to see out the match. However, with five minutes left, he brought out the tiring lead striker Wanga, bringing in Noah Wafula to trouble the Kilimanjaro defence and prevent an-all-out attack by the Tanzanians in the dying minutes.
Match moved from Machakos
But in the 88th minute Samatta broke into the Kenya box and showed a rare lack of confidence, incredibly missing a clear chance.
The bringing on of Mungai Kiongera in the last minute of added three minutes was also meant to stall time, waiting for Thiery Mkurunziza whistle that was greeted with jubilation by a small band of supporters mainly ferried from Machakos.
Earlier and just before 1pm, the semi-final was nearly starting at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos, a one hour-drive out of Nairobi when rain made that impossible. A packed stadium was dejected as they saw the teams and the “live” television crew packing up to re-locate to Nyayo National Stadium.
Machakos people are innovative and determined. Their Governor, Alfred Mutua, offered to “bus” for free — anybody who had paid to enter Kenyatta Stadium — to Nairobi.
TANZANIA Line up: 1. Ivo Philip MAPUNDA: 5. Kevin YONDA (captain), 4. Erasto Edward NYONI, 13. Michael Pius EDWARD, 15. Said Hussein MORAD, 16. Frank Raymond DAMAYO, 14. Saleh DILUNGA (12. Rashid Mussa SHAH), 10. Mbwana Ally SAMATTA, 17. Alfan Mrisho NGASSA, 11. Thomas ULIMWENGU, 9. Ramadhan Amri KIEMBA (3. Athman “Chuji” IDD)
Reserves not used – 18. Bonaventure MUNISH, Gk; 6. Himid Mao MKAMI, 8. Athman CHANONGO, 7. Yahya R SINGANO, 20. Ismail Adan GAMBO
Coach: Kim POULSEN (Denmark)
KENYA Line up: 18. Duncan OCHIENG’ (Sofapaka), 2. James SITUMA (Sofapaka), 14. Joackins ATUDO (Azam, Tanzania), 15. David OWINO (Gor Mahia), 3. Aboud OMAR (Tusker),4. Anthony “Teddy” AKUMU (Gor Mahia), 7. Peter OPIYO (Tusker), 10. Francis KAHATA (Thika United), 13. Clifton MIHESO (Thika United), 11. Allan WANGA, captain (AFC Leopards), 20. Edwin LAVATSA (Gor Mahia)
Reserves: 1. Frederick ONYANGO, Gk (Gor Mahia), 19. Musa MOHAMMED (Gor Mahia), 17. Mungai KIONGERA (Gor Mahia), 8. James Mulinge NDETTO (Ulinzi Stars), 6. Noah WAFULA (AFC Leopards), 5. David KING’ATUA (Thika United)
