Kenyan goalkeeper Patrick Matasi saved three penalties as Harambee Stars claim the 7th CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup title today at Machakos stadium to beat Zanzibar 3-2 in a final match.
The keeper who conceded his first two goals since the tournament started a fortnight ago, saved Mohammed Issa Juma, Adeyum Seif and Khamis Makame penalties as Kenya reclaimed the title, winning it for the seventh time as Kenyans Jockins Atudo, Wesley Onguso and Samuel Onyango netted their spot kicks and Duncan Otieno missed.
The penalty shootout was due to a 2-2 draw in normal in the 120 minutes.
Twice Zanzibar came from down to draw with hosts to force the penalties. Zanzibar’s Khamis Makame equalized in the 88th minute from Hajji Mwinyi’s pass to end the tie at 1-1.
Massoud Juma gave Kenya what looked like a win in the 98th minute, but Makame struck his brace two minutes later to restore parity and hope for Zanzibar.
The win which comes after a four year wait sees Belgian tactician Paul Put start off his tenure on a positive note, winning the tournament in his first attempt, setting himself up nicely for the rest of his two years in the country.
Put made two changes in his squad, Kepha Aswani starting up as the lone striker ahead of the injured Vincent Oburu while in midfield, Duncan Otieno who played at centre back in the semi-final against Burundi slotted back into midfield ahead of Ernest Wendo.
Zanzibar’s day was to turn from bad to worse when Makame, arguably their best player in the tournament was stretchered out injured after 24 minutes following in earlier clash of knees with Aswani inside the box.
In his place, head coach Suleiman Hemed brought in Feisal Salum Abdallah who had started on the bench despite having been a regular starter for the islanders throughout the tournament.
Zanzibar’s keeper Mohammed Abdulrahman almost gifted Ovellah his second goal of the afternoon when he spilled a cross from the winger as he picked it up at his near post.
In the second half, Zanzibar came back a stronger outfit and they pushed the hosts into defending deep in their own half. In the 51st minute, Mudathir Yahya had an attempt from a freekick 25 yards out but his effort was awry, flying way over.
The game was forced into extra time and with Kenya having played in a similar tie just two days ago, the toll on the players was always waiting
Zanzibar, knowing they were better off heading to penalties than attempting an all out attack stuck to defensive duties and successfully safeguarded the 2-2 score-line.
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