Muguna, Hassan strike as Kenya sink Tanzania to bag CECAFA bronze

 Jacob Icia in Kampala

Kenneth Muguna and Abdallah Hassan scored one each as Kenya beat Tanzania 2-1 to finish third in the 2019 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, at the KCCA Lugogo Stadium in Kampala, Uganda on Thursday.

Tanzania had to wait until the 85th to get the consolation through Gadiel Kamagi, from a spot kick in a quite dull affair.

Kenya had to overcome a huge psychological setback caused by their shock 4-1 defeat by Eritrea at the semifinal, to end on a high in the East African derby.

Tanzania were more purposeful in the opening 10 minutes as Stars stayed back, although the Juma Mgunda coached men did little with the early possession they enjoyed at the stage.

But it was Kenya who found the breakthrough first, at the quarter-hour mark, Muguna was clinical in connecting Wamalwa’s cross for the opener, putting the ball into the left corner of the net.

Another clear chance for Kenya came through Lawrence Juma, set up by Hassan Abdallah who had a fine run on the left before crossing to the Gor Mahia midfielder, but delayed before pulling the trigger allowing Mwamnyeto Nondo to clear.

In the 33rd minute,  Abdallah found space on the left wing after a cross from Lawrence Juma and timed well to beat an advancing David Mapigano to extend Kenya’s lead to 2-0, his third of the tournament.

A close shave it was for Tanzania just after the restart, Mapigano and his defence caught up in a goalmouth melee but would survive, Muguna, Wamalwa and Anthony Wambani all attempting.

It was growing into a quite a slow affair, with Kenya dominating totally the second, Kilimanjaro Stars’ ambition appearing to fizzle out as time wore on.

But there would be a reward for Clement Kibabage’s hard work towards stoppage. Johnstone Omurwa handled the ball trying to in the box, and the referee pointing straight to the spot. Kamagi easily converted to halve the deficit.

The editions champion will be known later on after hosts Uganda and Eritrea match.