Kenya’s nerves were tested at the 2023 CECAFA U18 championships as Tanzania dragged their semifinal tie at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu.

Tanzania held Kenya to a 0-0 draw in regulation and extra time, and Junior Stars had to win via post-match penalties (4-3) to set up a final date with Uganda.

The stadium was filled to the bream and fans stormed the pitch in thousands ‘airlifting’ Junior Stars head coach Salim Babu.

Junior Stars played to a goalless first half, which pushed Babu to make a tactical change at the break, resting Elly Owande and bringing in Humphrey Aroko.

Aroko scored a brace in the 4-1 win over Somalia in their final Group A match on Friday, December 1st, 2023 but had been relegated to the bench for the fixture.

Despite the change, the game stayed tied at 0-0, with the Junior Stars technical bench scratching its head. It was in the 68th minute that Babu chose to bite the bullet, subbing off the championship’s top scorer Aldrine Kibet.

Duncan Omala came in place of Kibet as Sigmun Maina also made way for Collins Ochieng, and Kenya continued to pursue the goal that would send them into the final.

Despite end-to-end attacking, no side found the back of the net. Both teams spurned numerous opportunities in regulation and extra time, and referee Solomon Okwera had no option but to call for spot-kicks.

ALSO READ: Aldrine Kibet scores again as Kenya’s Junior Stars sink Somalia

In the first semifinal at the same venue, Uganda emerged with a 1-0 victory over Rwanda and will now face Kenya in the final on Friday, December 8, 2023.