Uganda Leaves Kenyan's hearts broken flooring Junior stars to win CECAFA U18 boys championships

Kisumu,

Friday, 8 December, 2023 

McCreadie Andias 

Junior Stars suffered an extra time heartbreak as Uganda came from behind to beat Kenya 2-1 in the final of the CECAFA U18 Championships held in Kisumu's Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium on Friday afternoon.

The match started on a low with both teams falling shy to attack on each other nets.

Coach Salim Babu felt contended to make tactical changes to the side in the 40th minute, subbing off Aroko for Aldrine Kibet, who had started the game on the bench alongside fellow star winger Tyrone Kariuki, as well as bringing on Lucas Kingu.

Kungu nearly scored a screamer in the 44th minute when he attempted a shot from outside the box into the back of the net but it went just over the bar.

Kenya finally broke the deadlock in the 65th minute when Owuor teared down the middle after Ibrahim Wanzala delivered a good long ball over the top towards him before he hit a right footed shot into the back of the net to send Kisumu Stadium into jubilation. 

Owuor nearly made it two in the 71st minute when Wanzala hit another excellent drop kick towards Louis Ingavi before both players exchanged neat passes and then Owuor hit it just wide of the post.

Kibet missed another chance in the 76th after receiving a perfect serve from Owuor but sent it wide. 

Uganda's Batiibe Okello equalized for the visitors in the late minutes to send the match into extra time. 

Uganda went ahead yet again right at the start of extra time to stun Kenya even further. Substitute Alex Yiga dribbled past Collins Ochieng down the right flank before sending a low cross that Okello got on the end of forcing Okello to make a save, before Hakim Mutebi capitalised on the rebound to put them ahead.

Start last minute efforts turned futile as Uganda deployed time wasting tactics to ensure the 2023 CECAFA U18 boys championships was on their closest in font of a heart broken Kenyan crowd.