The 2017 CECAFA Senior Challenge cup was played after a two year hiatus. Kenya hosted it with matches being played in Machakos, Kakamega and Kisumu. Kenya emerged victorious, winning their seventh title.

Group Matches

Kenya 2 Rwanda 0

Kenya opened their campaign with a brilliant performance against Rwanda. The match was played at the newly refurbished Bukhungu stadium and the attendance was impressive.

It was their best match of the tournament. The Kenya’s raided the Rwanda goal incessantly with wingers George Odhiambo and Samwel Onyango being particularly rampant.

New sensation, striker Masoud Juma scored the opener in the 24th minute, converting from the spot after Jockins Atudo was fouled in the box. Then Duncan Otieno sealed the score with a ferocious drive from 35 metres after a pass from Whyvonne Isuza.

Match 2: Kenya 0 Libya 0

Kenya’s second match was against tournament guests Libya. The match was played at Kenyatta stadium Machakos. Kenya dominated possession and created numerous chances but could not convert. Masoud Juma was the biggest culprit and was eventually replaced by Kepha Aswani. Another second half substitute, Ovella Ochieng injected a dose of energy into the stars attack but the Libya rear-guard continued to fend off attacks.

Harambee Stars starting XI: Patrick Matasi, Musa Mohammed, Jockins Atudo, Denis Shikayi, Wesley Onguso, Duncan Otieno, Patillah Omotto, George Odhiambo, Yvonne Issuza, Crispin Oduor and Masoud Juma.

Reserves: Boniface Oluoch, Gabriel Andika, Said Tsuma, Benard Ochieng, Ovella Ochieng, Samuel Onyango, Isaac Kipyegon, Wellington Ochieng, Ernest Wendo, Charles Momanyi, Vincent Oburu and Kepha Aswani.

Libya starting XI: Ahmed Azzaqah (G), Eltribi Ahmed, Ajbarah Saed, Aljmal Tariq, Sabbou Motasem, Shafshuf Suhib, Albadri Faisal (C), Madeen Muhanad, Tubal Moahmed, Mohamed Amer and Almaryami Khalid.

Match 3: Kenya 0 Zanzibar 0

Kenya’s third match was played at the Kenyatta stadium in Machakos to a sparse crowd. After the disssapointment against Libya, coach Paul Put introduced Kepha Aswani and Ovella Ochieng into the starting line up. But it was to no avail. It was yet another disappointing encounter for Harambee Stars fans. The hard fighting Zanzibaris gave as much as they received. Both teams wasted excellent chances and the match ended scoreless.

Kenya starting line-up: Patrick Matasi, Musa Mohammed, Jockins Atudo, Nicholas Sikhayi, Wesley Onguso, Duncan Otieno, Petilah Omoto, George ‘Blackbery’ Odhiambo, Whyvonne Isuza, Kepha Aswani and Ovella Ochieng.

Reserves: Gabriel Andika, Boniface Oluoch, Said Tsuma, Bernard Ochieng, Samuel Onyango, Masoud Juma, Wellington Ochieng, Charles Momanyi, Vincent Oburu, Crispin Ouma, Kipyego Isaac and Ernest Wendo.

Zanzibar starting squad: Mohamed Abrahman, Ibrahim Mohamed, Haji Mwinyi Ngwali, Abdulla Kheri, Issa Haidar Dau, Abdul azizi Makame, Mohamed Issa, Mudathir Yahya, Ibrahim Hamad Hilika, Feisal Salum and Suleiman Kassim.

Reserves: Ahmed Ali, Ibrahim Abdallah, Adeyum Saleh, Abdullah Haji, Seif Rashid, Kassim Suleiman, Khamis Mussa, Amour Suleiman, Hamad Mshamata and Abdul Swamad Kassim.

Match 4: Kenya 1 Tanzania 0

It was a must win situation for Kenya. Anything less than a win woud have put their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals in jeopardy. And Kenya played with determination. They created chance after chance but squandered them all. The all important goal came from a left wing move. Ovella Ochieng and Pattilah Omoto, who are team-mates at Kariobangi Sharks, played a one-two. Ovella raced down the flank and sent a low cross which Vincent Oburu converted for Kenya’s only goal

Kenya Starting XI: Patrick Matasi (GK), Musa Mohammed (C), Jockins Atudo, Dennis Sikhayi, Wesley Onguso, Ernest Wendo, Patillah Omotto, Vincent Oburu, Chrispin Oduor, Ovella Ochieng and George Odhiambo.

Reserves: Gabriel Andika (GK), Boniface Oluoch (GK), Said Tsuma, Bernard Ochieng, Samuel Onyango, Masoud Juma, Wellington Ochieng, Charles Momanyi, Kepha Aswani, Issack Kipyegon, Duncan Otieno and Whyvonne Issuza.

Tanzania starting XI: Peter Manyika Jr 24, Himid Mao Mkami 7, Gadiel Michael Mbaga 2, Kennedy Wilson Juma 6, Erasto Nyoni 4, Jonas Mkude 20, Abdul Hilal Hassan 13, Abdallah Hamisi Riziki 8, Daniel Lyanga 9, Ibrahim Ajib Migomba 10, Shizya Ramadhan Kichuya 16.

Reserves: Ramadhan Kabwili 17, Boniface Maganga 3, Mohamed Hussein 14, Muzamiru Yassin 19, Yahya Zayd Omary 21, Yohana Mkomola 11, Aman Peter Kyata 23, Raphael Daudi Loth 15.

Semi-Finals: Kenya 1 Burundi 0

The tough Burundians gave Kenya several tense moments and came close to scoring on several occassions. Kenya were saved by desperate defending and good goalkeeping by Patrick Matasi. Abdul Eazak Fiston, the former Sofapaka striker in particular was a thorn in the flesh of the Harambee stars rearguard. Kenya also had their fair share of chances with Oburu, Blackberry and Ovella Ochieng being the primary culprits.

Neither side could score in regulation and the match was forced into extra time. Oburu limped off injured in the 93rd minute prompting coach Put to introduce Samwel Onyango. It was the latter who sent a cross in the 97th minute which was convered by Whyvonne Isuza for the winning goal.

Harambee Stars starting XI: Patrick Matasi (GK), Musa Mohammed (C), Jockins Atudo, Sikhayi Dennis, Wesley Onguso, Patilah Omotto, Whyvonne Isuza, Ovella Ochieng, George Odhiambo, Ernest Wendo and Vincent Oburu.

Reserves: Boniface Oluoch, Gabriel Andika, Said Tsuma, Bernard Ochieng, Masoud Juma, Charles Momanyi, Wellington Ochieng, Dunacan Otieno,Kepha Aswani and Crispin Oduor.

Burundi starting XI: Nahimana Jonathan (GK), Hererimana Leon, Kwizera Pierre (C), Ndikumana Tresor, Nsimirimana David, Moussa Omar, Duhayindavyi Gael, Nahimana Shassir, Shaban Hussein, Mavugo Laudit and Fiston abdoul.

Reserves: Zarakaza Arthur, Rrukundo Onesme, Nahimana Steve, Ndayishimye Youssuf, Shaka Bienvenue, Moussa Mossi, Herimana Moussa, Urasenga Cedrick and Ndoriyobija Eric.

Final: Kenya 1 Zanzibar 1 (Kenya win 3-2 on penalties)

Hosts Kenya won the 2017 Cecafa Challenge Cup on Sunday, beating Zanzibar 3-2 on penalties after the final of the East and Central African Championship had ended 2-2 following extra time.

The Harambee Stars goalkeeper Patrick Matasi proved to be Kenya’s hero, saving three penalties in the deciding shoot-out.

The triumph gives Kenya’s new Belgian coach Paul Put a winning start to his reign, having only taken charge of the team last month.

In an eventful match, Ovella Ochieng put Kenya ahead after just five minutes, and it stayed 1-0 to the hosts until the 89th minute when Zanzibar’s Kassim Khamis stunned the home side with an equaliser to take the final into extra time.

Zanzibar, who knocked out the holders Uganda in the semi-finals, again went behind when Masud Juma put Kenya 2-1 up after 98 minutes.

Zanzibar fought back for a second time, with Kassim Khamis scoring his second goal just two minutes later to make it 2-2 at the end of extra time.

Matasi saves

Matasi stood tall saving Adeyum Ahmed,  Issa Dau and Mohammed Issa Banka penalty kicks. Mudathir Yahya and  Feisal Abdalla managed to beat the Posta custodian from the spot.

On Kenya’s side,  Joackins Atudo, Wesley Onguso and Samwel Onyango converted while Duncan Otieno saw his effort saved by Zanzibar keeper.

Starting XI: Patrick Matasi, Musa Mohamed, Jockins Atudo, Dennis Shikayi, Wesley Onguso, Omotto Pattillah, Whyvonne Isuza, Ovella Ochieng,( Ernest Wendo) Duncan Otieno, George Odhiambo,(Samwel onyango) Kepha Aswani(Masud Juma)

Unused Subs: Boniface Oluoch, Gabriel Andika, Said Tsuma, Bernard Ochieng, Wellingtone Ochieng, Isaac Kipyegon, Vincent Oburu,Chrispin Oduor.

Zanzibar Starting XI:  Mohammed Abrahman Mohd,  18, Ibrahim Mohd Said,  15, Mwinyi Haji Ngwali 16, Abdulla Salum Kheri  13, Issa Haidar Dau Abdul azizi Makame Hassan 21, Seif Abdallah Rashid 12, Mudathir Yahya Abass 4, Ibrahim Hamad Ahmada  17, Mohd Issa Juma, 10 na Suleiman Kassim  Suleiman (Captain)