Spot-on Tanzania shoot Kenya out of Copa

Spot-on Tanzania shoot Kenya out of Copa

Kenya’s hopes of defending the Copa Coca-Cola Africa Cup Tournament title went up in smoke on Wednesday after crashing out on post-match shootouts against Tanzania in the semi finals at the Mpesa Foundation Academy Grounds in Thika.

The semi-final clash went to the full distance following a 0-0 draw in regular time with Tanzania winning the post-match lotteries 5-4 as the defending champions suffered a horrendous heartbreak in the penultimate day of the annual youth fiesta.

Tanzania’s sensational forward Paul Nyerere struck the deciding spot-kick to send his side to the Thursday’s finals against Zimbabwe after Mohammed Mbaruk and Bilal Kibwana missed their penalties for the hosts.

Kenya’s shot-stopper Ismail Tole saved Harun Ndile’s penalty but that was not enough to salvage his side after Captain Mohammed Rai, Edward Bernard, Paul Nyerere, Frank Stephanie and Ibrahim Kasim- were all clinical in front of the goal for Tanzania.

Impressive Tanzania will confront unbeaten Zimbabwe in the finals after the latter edged out their Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) fellow members, Zambia, in the other last four clash 4-3 in the shootouts after a 2-2 stalemate in regulation time.

En route to the finals Tanzania defeated South Africa 3-1 lost 2-0 against Zambia before thrashing Uganda 6-2 in the quarter finals while Zimbabwe punched into the finals after winning against Kenya ,Mozambique ,Namibia and Zambia, scoring a whopping 13 goals.

Kenya will fight for the third place honours against last year’s quarter finalists Zambia in the playoffs from 10am.

Speaking after dethroning the champions, Tanzania’s gaffer Abel Mtweve brimmed with confidence his charges will cap their good run with the ultimate prize against Zimbabwe.

“We are glad everything is going our way and now Zimbabwe is the next and our final hurdle. Our game plan failed against Kenya because my strikers were not as good as they were during the quarter finals and I hope they will rediscover their touch in the final,” he said.

His opposite number Daniel Lenjo conceded defeat while lauding the youth fiesta saying it will continue to play a big role in nurturing the continent’s footballers.

“We will live to fight another day but we are happy for having the opportunity to grace this year’s edition,” he averred.

In last year’s edition, Kenya claimed a clean sweep after St. Anthony’s Boys Kitale and Moi Girls Nangili overcame Nigeria and Zimbabwe respectively in the finals to clinch the inaugural title in Nakuru.

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories