Kenya through to Cecafa final
by Claudia Ekai 06 December 2012, 23:37
Harambee Stars beat Zanzibar Heroes 4-2 on post penalties to make the final of this year’s Cecafa Tusker Cup at Namboole on Thursday.
Stars showed remarkable resilience twice coming from behind to take the game to extra time at 2-2 and they then held their nerve to convert all four spotkicks and qualify for their first final since 2008.
Mike Barasa led from the front forcing an own goal before notching the equalizer eight minutes from time as Kenya’s incredible run in the tourney continued.
Missing Bernard Mangoli who was injured in the quarters, Stars welcomed back Kevin Omondi and Paul Were who had been expelled from the camp.
Khamis Mcha Khamis opened the scoring turning the ball in from 12 yards after slick interplay down the left flank had carved open Stars defence.
Stars equalized minutes later when Nadir Haroub headed Omondi’s long ball past his own keeper while under pressure from Barasa.
the Leopards striker almost gave Stars the lead but his shot hit the upright six minutes past half hour.
Joackins Atudo was later on booked for a foul as Kenya sought to restore their possession in the game.
Zanzibar regained the lead in the 75th minute via Aggrey Morris who scored from the spot but back came Kenya with Barasa heading in an Abdalla Juma corner.
Saley Ahmed was given matching orders 20 minutes into extra time as he picked a second yellow card following a foul on substitute Victor Ochieng who stretchered off due to injury.
Then came the penalties where Barasa, Edwin Lavatsa, Joackins Atudo and Juma converted to send Kenya through to the final.
