Kenya is out of contention for a place in the 2019 Africa U17 Cup of Nations following a 4-2 loss to Ethiopia in the final Group B match of the CECAFA Region Qualifying Tournament.
The match was played on Wednesday, August 22, 2018, at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Kenya was the first on the scoresheet when Alphonse Omija tucked in a header off a corner by Mathew Mwendwa. Ethiopia Captain Beyene Banja would, however, score two goals in quick succession, both from long range, to turn the game in their favor. Keith Imbali restored parity just before the break to spur hopes for a comeback but as the Junior Stars pushed forward for the winner, Banja would notch his hat trick off a swift counter-attack late in the match. A late goal for Ethiopia, in a similar fashion, would further seal Kenya’s fate.
The loss sees Kenya end the first round third in Group B with six points from four matches, behind Ethiopia and Uganda, who are set to grace the semifinals slated for Friday, August 24, 2018.
Starting XI
Bixente Lazaru (GK), Arnold Onyango(C), Alphonce Omija, Oscar Kamori, Telvin Maina, Nicholas Ochieng, Keith Imbali, Said Musa, Mathew Mwendwa, Richdonald Bolo, Ezekiel Mogendi
Substitutes
Brian Olango (GK), Felix Chabaya, Francis Kayugi