An own goal after 84 minutes by Yosief Mebrahtu was enough to see Kenya edge Eritrea to qualify for the final at the on-going Cecafa U-20 Challenge Cup.

The Eritrean team that was missing four starters put up a good show at the Fufa Technical center in Njeru missing some good scoring chances. But a cross by Kenya’s Patrick Otieno was deflected by Mebrahtu past second choice goalkeeper Haile Kibrom.

Eritrea had Ismael Sitan Jahar and Deyben Gbtswawi Hintseab miss some clear chances, while skipper Robel Michael Tekle had his free kick hit the woodwork.

“We missed some good scoring chances in the first half. But it was a good semi final and I cannot blame my players,” said Eritrea’s coach Efrem Haile Alemseghed.

Kenya’s coach Stanley Okumbi said it was a tough game. “Eritrea gave us a tough time,” added the coach.

Eritrea will now face Sudan in a play-off game on October before the final in Njeru.

Tanzania beat Sudan 2-1 in the other semi final match played at the Pece War Memorial Stadium in Gulu.

Tespsi Evance Theonassy and Kelvin Pius John gave Tanzania a 2-0 first lead before Muhammad Abbas Namir pulled one back for Sudan.

The regional tournament that is sponsored by FIFA has attracted 11 teams.