Tanzania condemned Rwanda to a 3-1 defeat to finish third in the CECAFA Under 18 Boys’ Championship at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu on Friday.In front of a fully packed crowd, Tanzania, who suffered a 4-3 post-match penalties defeat against Kenya in the last four, took the lead through Zidane Serari before Said Said doubled their lead with John Msheto rounding up the scores for the Junior Taifa Stars while Didie Ndayishimiye grab a consolation for the young Amavubi.CECAFAU18 BOYS CHAMPIONSHIPFT’ Rwanda U18 🇷🇼 1️⃣-3️⃣ 🇹🇿Tanzania U18Zidane Ally ⚽️Said Said ⚽️Third Place @Cecafaonline @tanfootball pic.twitter.com/vvAjj7U4tV— TFF TANZANIA (@Tanfootball) December 8, 2023 First Half With third place up for grabs, both coaches opted for strong lineups keen to put behind their back-semifinal defeats and condemn their sides to a bronze medal of the youthful tournament.Sereri could have given Tanzania the lead in the opening minutes of the game but the Junior Amavubi had their custodian Ruhamyanyiko Yvan to thank for producing a spectacular double save to keep them in the game.##NAJAVA_MECA_7729555##Tanzania, who dominated the game for the better part of the opening 30 minutes, continued flanking in dangerous crosses from the wings with the attacking duo of Bakari Msimu and Sereri calling to task Ruhamyanyiko multiple times.Tanzania’s numerous attempts at the goal paid off in the 19th minute as they wasted no time to bring Rwanda to their knees with Bakari Msimu setting up Sereri for an opener with a fine finish from close range.The Junior Taifa Stars were dominant in ball possession as well as creating goal-scoring opportunities after the opener and their dominance paid off in the 26th minute when youngster Said beat his markers before firing past the waiting Rwanda goalkeeper to double his side’s lead.Kenya renews rivalry with Uganda in CECAFA U18 finalsThe Amavubi Juniors kept looking for a route back in the game and were handed a lifeline in the 38th minute when Ndayishimiye picked up a cross from the overlapping Okoche David to half the score to the jubilation of Kenyans who had thronged the stands, but their quest for an equalizer was dealt a blow with coach Kayiranga Baptiste forced to make an early substation which saw the team led striker Elisha Tinyiomana make way for Jean Irakoze.The Tanzanians held on to head into the breather with a well-earned 2-1 lead.Second halfImmediately after the restart, Tanzania looked livelier and wasted no time with John Msheto overlapping from the right flank leaving his marker gasping for air on the ground before sending a lowly placed shot across the goal post for his second goal of the tournament and the nation’s third that proved to be the match winner.FKFPL: Four talking points ahead of weekend actionA couple of substitutions by Rwanda proved unproductive as they struggled to put a foot in the game and the only chance of the half came in the 74th minute when substitute Sibomana Sultan Bobo’s shot was deflected off the woodwork.Tanzania remained charged until the end to grab a win and bronze in the CECAFA u18 Boys Championship that culminates on Friday in Kisumu.
