Stars book date with Harambee
What you need to know:
- The winner was decided on penalty shootouts after the regular time ended in a two-all draw at Mombasa Municipal Stadium. Kilimanjaro Stars had their penalty goals from team skipper Kelvin Yondani, Ramadhan Kiemba and substitute Idd Athumani as Mbwana Samatta, Erasto Nyoni Edward splashed theirs.
Mombasa. Ten-man Kilimanjaro Stars came from a goal down to bundle defending champions Uganda Cranes 5-4 on post match penalties in the first Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup quarter final yesterday.
The winner was decided on penalty shootouts after the regular time ended in a two-all draw at Mombasa Municipal Stadium. Kilimanjaro Stars had their penalty goals from team skipper Kelvin Yondani, Ramadhan Kiemba and substitute Idd Athumani as Mbwana Samatta, Erasto Nyoni Edward splashed theirs.
Mrisho Ngasa brace
Uganda Cranes scored their penalties through Hamis Kiiza and Emmanuel Okwi while Khalid Aucho, Godfrey Walusimbi and Dan Sserunkuma missed theirs.
From an action packed first half, Uganda Cranes came back a more aggressive side, pressing on their opponents who were leading 2-1, thanks to Mrisho Ngasa brace in the first half.
Sure boy red card
A minute before resumption, Uganda pulled out an ineffective Joseph Mpande for Brian Majwega.
Stars had two consecutive corners both fruitless as the Cranes now forced their opponents into their own box. A 50th corner by the latter’s Khalid Aucho went wide.
In the 53rd minute, Stars were reduced to ten men after a direct red card was issued to Azam FC’s Salum “Sure boy” Abubakar for a bad foul to ease matters for the Cranes.
Restored parity
In the 63rd minute, Dan Sserunkuma thought he had restored parity for his side but his free kick at the edge of the box and was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Ivo Mapunda for a fruitless corner.
Two minutes later, Uganda Cranes rested Geoffrey Kizito for Kyeyune Said in an attempt to spearhead their attacks upfront.
Equaliser
It paid off eight minutes later when Mpuga Martin connected home the equalizer after Mapunda failed to hold on to the Brian Majwega corner.
Stars coach Kim Poulsen then introduced Athumani Idd for Mriso Ngasa to ensure they decide matters on post match penalties.
Semi finals
In the shootouts, Ivo Mapunda undoubtedly became the hero saving a crucial penalty from his team mate Dan Sserunkuma to book a slot in the semi finals of the 37th edition of the Cecafa Challenge Cup.
