Kenya U20 thrashed

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The Kenya U20 national team crashed out of contention for the African Youth Championships courtesy of a 0 -3 loss in the second leg, second round at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday 11 August.

Bright start

Kenya started brightly, with Gor Mahia striker Edwin Lavatsa going close on four minutes after stumbling on a loose ball when Enock Agwanda collided with Egypt keeper Mossad Awad but his shot narrowly missed the target.

The Egyptians launched an attack of their own but Joel Bataro punched Saleh Gomaa’s attempt clear and Kenya surged forward after fine work from Danson Kago but his final shot at goal was well blocked by Yasser Ahmed.

Sayed opener

On 15 minutes Egypt went ahead through Ahmed el Sayed who calmly lobbed the ball over Joel Bataro after the Kenya captain had badly misjudged a cross from Gomaa.

Kenya, however, rolled up their sleeves and went close on 19 minutes, Lavatsa missing narrowly with a header from Eric Omondi’s cross before Kenya’s penalty claims were waved off after Kago was felled in the box by Osama Ibrahim.

Penalty shouts

Another penalty shout on 42 minutes after Patilla Omoto’s header was handled by Mahmoud el Metwally was ignored by the referee much to the Kenyans chagrin as they went to the break behind.

Kenya survived another scare on 47 minutes when Omar Bassam’s goal was ruled out for offside but the visitors doubled their lead on the hour mark through an Eric Omondi own goal when he tried to stop a Gomaa cross but ended up lifting the ball above Bataro.

Gomaa goal

The impressive Gomaa then registered his name on the score sheet with a third from 30 yards with a free kick well drilled to the bottom left corner to effectively end the Kenyans’ hopes.

Ironically, a cross section of the Kenyan fans at the stadium exuberantly cheered the North Africans towards the end of the game.