Tanzania progressed to 2021 CECAFA U-23 final with a 1-0 win over South Sudan in at the Bahir Dar Stadium on Tuesday.
Kelvin John scored the lone goal of the game to hand Taifa Stars a place in the final where they will meet the semi-final winner between Kenya and Burundi on Saturday.
It was Tanzania who got off to the better start, with the likes of Israel Patrick and Andrew Simchimba causing a bit of havoc in the final third.
South Sudan squandered a chance in the 12th minute when Dani Lual managed to head over from six-yards, after getting on the end of Omot Sebit’s corner.
William Gama was presented another opportunity in the 31st minute when he got on the end of Stephen Pawaar free-kick, however the defender failed to direct his header on target.
Tanzania created the second opportunity of the half in the 38th minute, as Simchimba struck the upright from 12-yards out, before Rehan Angier cleared the rebound off the line.
Simchimba was proving to be tough to handle for the Bright Stars defence and he come close in the 41th minute, as he curled one inches over the upright from a tight angle.
South Sudan side were in control in the closing stages of the half and almost went ahead at the stroke of the stanza minute but Eely Data failed to steer his header on target from close range.
However, South Sudan failed to trouble Tanzania goalkeeper, Wibol Maseke, throughout the opening 45 minutes.
Dominic Angelo came close to breaking the deadlock in the 50th minute as his thunderous effort from distance crashed against the upright.
However it was Tanzania who took the lead in the 63th minute, as Kelvin Nashon sent home a beautiful volley from Nickson Kibabage’s inviting cross.
Patrick should have doubled the lead in the 76th minute but the winger failed to beat the on-rushing Ramadan John from close range.
South Sudan piled on the pressure in the closing stages but Kim Poulsen’s side managed to hold on claim a place in the Cecafa U-23 final where they will meet either Kenya or Burundi.
