Ethiopia out, Malawi through to Cecafa quarters

Malawi are through to the quarterfinals of this year’s Cecafa Tusker Senior Challenge Cup after sharing the spoils with Ethiopia in their final Group C match in Dar es Salaam on Friday.

Substitute Henry Kabichi’s wonderful equaliser cancelled out Adane Gebreyes’ early striker as The Flames booked a place in the last eight while the Walya Antelopes crashed out of the tourney.

Malawi finished on five points while Ethiopia end their campaign with two.

The result means that Kenya can top the group if they beat Sudan in their final match on Saturday while a win for Sudan will see them join Malawi in the last eight.

Ethiopia went into the game needing a huge win to stay in contention and they started well with Getaneh Kebede testing Malawi keeper Charles Swini with a long range strike on three minutes.

Malawi striker john Banda then saw his effort come of the crossbar on 12 minutes with the keeper all at sea.

Ethiopia went ahead on the quarter hour mark after Malawi defender Zoya Siyeni handled the ball in the box with the referee pointing to the spot. Gebreyes stepped up to score the penalty and put the Antelopes ahead.

Malawi’s problems seemed to have been compounded when Frank Sibanda was forced off with Kabichi coming on to replace him.

But it would prove to be a blessing in disguise as the little midfielder drew the Flames level with a fantastic freekick on 27 minutes.

Chimango Kayira missed a gilt edged chance to put Malawi ahead on 32 minutes blazing a John Banda cut way over the bar.

Needing a goal to stay alive in the competition, Ethiopia poured forward but were unable to find a winner. Substitute Shimeles Bekele went closest smashing a right footed shot against the upright on 57 minutes.

Gebreyes rounded off a miserable day for the Ethiopians by getting himself sent off in the dying minutes for unsporting behaviour.
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