Written by The Junior Stars of Kenya were defeated by Uganda in the final game of the CECAFA Under18 championship on Friday, December 8th, 2023, at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu county.
On a sunny afternoon in Kisumu, Kenya, the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium hosted the 2023 CECAFA U18 championship final between the Junior Stars of Kenya and Uganda.
Fans flocked to the stadium in anticipation of the senior teams finally giving them the joy they’ve been missing for so long. The stadium was already at capacity before the game even started.
Salim Babu’s first eleven team had, Ibrahim Barasa, Baron Ochieng, Joseph Bate Onyango, Stanley Omondi, Louise Ingavi, Humphrey Omondi, Syphas otieno, Elly Awino Owande, Amos Wanjala, Collins Ochieng and Joseph Omuse Baraza.
Kenyans were however not very happy with the squad that the Coach named because they felt that Aldrine Kibet, Alvin Kasavuli and Tyron Junior Kariuki should have started the game.
Kenyans came to the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in droves to cheer on Junior Stars as they faced off against Uganda. Spectators flocked from all around East Africa to witness the game in Kenya.
In the final, both teams pushed for a regional championship, but it wasn’t until the second half that either team scored. In the 67th minute, Junior Stars took the lead thanks to a goal from MOFA FC striker Syphas Owuor. He is the same player who scored the winning penalty for Kenya in their semi-final match against Tanzania on Tuesday earlier this week.
The joy of Kenyans was short-lived after Abasi Kyeyune scored an equalizer for Uganda in the 78th minute from a loose ball inside the penalty area, beating Ibrahim Wanzala in the process. The entire stadium became silent.
Regular time ended in a 1-1 tie, therefore Rwandese referee Rurisa Fidele sent the game into 30 minutes of extra time to determine the winner of the Cup.
Hakim Mutebi scored Uganda’s first goal of the match just 50 seconds into extra time after the Junior Stars’ defense had another lapse. The ball had come in as a low cross into the box.
That was the game-winning goal that sent Uganda cruising to a 2-1 victory against Kenya. Kenyans had no option but to accept it.