By ERNEST NDUNDA
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| Ethiopia’s James Thok (left) in a tussle with Sudan’s Faris Abdalla during their Cecafa quarter-finals at the Mombasa County Stadium yesterday. [PHOTOS: MAARUFU MOHAMED/ STANDARD] |
Sudan caused a major upset when they stormed into the semi-finals after beating pre-match favourites Ethiopia 2-0 in the last quarter-final match of the Cecafa Senior Challenge yesterday evening at the Mombasa County Stadium.
Ethiopia were lethal in the opening minutes of the match before Sudan settled to take the game to another level of individual skills with neat and accurate passes.
Mohannad Tahir headed home Elrayah Ali Maki’s free kick in the 23rd minute to give Sudan the first goal. Sudan’s Tahir and dreadlocked Faris Abdalla had lovely passes, keeping Ethiopia’s defence of captain Fasika Asfan and Salahadin Bargecho busy.
In the 35th minute, Ethiopia’s Yousuf Yassin had the chance to equalise but his well taken shot went out begging.
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omweno’s finesse
Kenyan referee Davies Omwena, who exercised professionalism, did not compromise hard tackles and had no option but to yellow-card Sudan’s Elrayah Ali Malik in the 31st minute for rough play against his opponent.
Ten minutes into the second half, Ethiopia dominated the proceedings, placing Sudan on the receiving end.
Nadir Eltayeb of Sudan looked dangerous on the front line and had to be marked by two defenders.
Ethiopia’s coach Sewnet Bishaw reinforced his striking force by bringing in Shimekit Gogsa and benched Yousuf Yassin who looked exhausted after 20 minutes of play in the second half.
Sudan’s tactician Mubarak Suliman brought in Mohammed Abdelmonen for Eltayeb.
Towering Salah Ibrahim silenced the charged Ethiopian spectators when he placed the ball into the net in the 69th minute.
Meanwhile, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Sam Nyamweya announced that the semi-finals set for tomorrow would be played in Mombasa and Machakos.
He said the Harambee Stars and Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro Stars match would be at the Machakos Stadium while the match pitting Zambia against Sudan would be played at the Mombasa County Stadium.
“After consultation with Cecafa Secretary General Nicholas Musonye, we have decided to have one of the semi-final matches played at the Mombasa County Stadium.
“We have received overwhelming support from Mombasa fans and it would be good to reciprocate by having one of the semi-finals matches in Mombasa,” said Nyamweya.
Ethiopia line up: Derete Alemu, Fesika Asfan (captain), Salahadin Bargecho, Thok James, Adisalem Tesfaye, Mehary Mena, Mulualem Mesfin, Mintesnote Adene, Yousuf Yassin, Bereket Yisak, Manaye Fantu. Coach Sewnet Bishaw.
Sudan: Abdelrahman Ali, Hamoda Bashir (captain), Ismail Elsiddig, Elrayah Ali Maki, Malik Mohammed, Amier Kamal, Nadir Eltayeb, Mohannad Tahir, Eltahir Elhag, Faris Abdalla, Salah Ibrahim. Coach Mubarak Suliman.
–enzioka@standardmedia.co.ke
