Players of Zanzibar celebrate after winning the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) U15 Boys Championship final match between Uganda and Zanzibar at the FUFA Technical Centre at Njeru in Buikwe District, Uganda, on Nov. 16, 2023. (Photo by Andrew Oryada/silubaba)
NJERU, Uganda, Nov. 16 (silubaba) -- Zanzibar defeated hosts Uganda 4-3 in a penalty shootout to clinch the title of the 2023 CECAFA (Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations) U15 Boys Championship on Thursday.
The game, held at the FUFA Technical Center in Njeru, ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.
Zanzibar took the lead through Lukman Omar in the 19th minute, but Ibra Ssebagala equalized for Uganda 11 minutes later.
With neither side managing to score in the second half, Zanzibar's goalkeeper Mahir Amour became the hero as he saved two penalty kicks to secure his team's victory.
"The boys have worked hard to become champions," said Zanzibar coach Mohamed Mrishona Mohamed after the match, while captain Mohamed Mohamed attributed the title to teamwork.
Earlier on Thursday, Seleman Kaniki netted the sole goal as Tanzania secured third place by beating South Sudan 1-0 for the bronze medal.
Auka Gecheo, executive director of the CECAFA, remarked that the championship provided teams a platform to prepare ahead of next year's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U17 qualifiers. ■
Players of Zanzibar celebrate with the trophy after winning the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) U15 Boys Championship final match between Uganda and Zanzibar at the FUFA Technical Centre at Njeru in Buikwe District, Uganda, on Nov. 16, 2023. (Photo by Andrew Oryada/silubaba)
Ibra Ssebagala of Uganda celebrates scoring during the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) U15 Boys Championship final match between Uganda and Zanzibar at the FUFA Technical Centre at Njeru in Buikwe District, Uganda, on Nov. 16, 2023. (Photo by Andrew Oryada/silubaba)
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