Eritrea have defeated hosts Ethiopia 3-2 in penalty shoot-outs in a classification match played this afternoon at the on-going CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup.

Ali Suleiman Ibrahim scored for Eritrea mid way the second half, while Ethiopia’s captain Abubeker Nasir Ahmed netted the equalizer to make it 1-1.

During the penalty shoot outs Eritrea’s substitute goalkeeper Kibrom Solom Haile saved two kicks, while Menaf Awel Abdirehman’s kick hit the pole. Skipper Robiel Tecle Michael Bahta, Suleiman Ihrahim and goalkeeper Haile scored for Eritrea to help the team win.

Yohannes Tesfay Giday, the Eritrean assistant coach and technical director said that they are happy with the many games the team will have in this tournament. “Although Ethiopia dominated play, we are happy to win the match,” he added. The two teams settled for a 3-3 draw in the group stages.

The Eritrean team will now face Uganda on July 28^th to decide which team finishes 5/6^th place. Uganda saw off guest side Democratic Republic of Congo in a second match played today.

On Tuesday Tanzania will face South Sudan in the first semi final, while Burundi battle Kenya’s Emerging Stars in the second game.