Kenya 1-0 Malawi
Kenya joined Zanzibar and Tanzania in the semi-finals of Cecafa Tusker Cup 2012 after beating guest team Malawi 1-0 in the quarter finals in a match played at Mandela national stadium, Namboole on Tuesday afternoon.
Mike Barasa scored the only goal of the game to propel Harambe Stars to the last four of the 34th edition of Africa’s oldest national soccer tournament.
Kenya dominated first half proceedings and should have taken the lead but poor finishing and good goal keeping from Malawi custodian Charles Swini were to thank for ending the 45 minutes in a barren draw.
In the second half, Kenya started off where they had left in the first launching a number of attacks but the Flames defence line manned by skipper Moses Chavula was up to task.
Their efforts were however paid in the 58th minute when substitute Mike Barasa’s header off Abdallah Juma’s fierce shot from over 40 yards found the back of the net to send the watching Kenyan fans into rapture.
Kenya should have added a second in the 72nd minute but Moses Chavula was able to clear danger after a good cross from Edwin Lavasta on the left flank.
In the dying moments of the game, Malawi threw everything at Kenya in search for an equaliser but were further frustrated by Duncan Ochieng’s time wasting tactics. In the end, Harambe Stars qualified for the semi-finals of the Cecafa Tusker Cup for the first time in four years.
Incidentally, the last time Kenya reached this stage, Uganda hosted the tournament. It was Kenya’s first win over Malawi in this competition. Harambe Stars will now meet Zanzibar Heroes who eliminated Burundi 6-5 on penalties in the semi-finals on Thursday at the same venue.
***UPDATE***
In the later quarterfinal, Uganda beat Ethiopia to set up a semifinal date with Tanzania.