Hosts Ethiopia earned a place in the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup semifinals following a brilliant comeback that saw them defeat Tanzania 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at full time on Monday at the National Stadium in Addis Ababa.

Tanzanian captain John Bocco was left unmarked in the penalty box and he made no mistake as he headed home for his side’s lead in the 25th minute.

Ethiopia had four golden chances to take the lead leading up to the goal with Yisshak Bereket beating Mohamed Hussein to the ball in the penalty box before he failed to chip goalkeeper Said Mohamed.

He then squandered two other chances inches away from goal before 18-year old Belay Beneyam failed to capitalise on yet another opportunity in front of goal that forced two quick back-to-back saves from Mohamed before Kevin Yondani cleared the ball amidst fumbling from both ends.

Tanzania dominated the game thereafter but Ethiopian talisman Gatoch Panom equalised for the Walia Antelopes in the 57th minute to stir the home side to immense belief that they could win the tie.

The Kilimanjaro Stars were awarded a freekick from 30 yards in the 68th minute after Aschalew Tamane fouled Bocco but it took a deflection and flew way off target.

Both sides sought the winner but played out for a 1-1 draw after regular time, sending the game to a penalty shootout, the first at the regional tournament.

Ethiopian goalkeeper Mamo produced a spectacular save to punch away Mkude’s shot diving to the right to send it away from goal.

Panom, who had netted from the spot for the equaliser in regular time, sent Mohamed the wrong way as he sent the ball into the left corner to give the Walia Antelopes a 1-0 lead.

Tanzania’s Himid Mao then plunged his effort far into the left top corner, high above Mamo who dived the opposite direction as the Kilimanjaro Stars levelled the scoreline.

Ethiopian youngster Mohammed Nasser then sent a fine low shot into the right corner with Said going the wrong way as the hosts took a 2-1 lead. Bocco found the back of the net with a superb finish that was well taken to level the scores at 2-2.

Aschalew Tamane’s powerful shot that ripped the net apart in the right corner gave Ethiopia a 3-2 lead before Hassan Ramadhan tied the scoreline at 3-3 with a top-notch kick into the top left corner that wento ff the underside of the crossbar and into the net.

Behailu Girma then sent the ball into the left corner and despite Said diving the right direction, he missed it as Ethiopia took a 4-3 lead.

Tanzania’s Shomari Kapombe then stepped up to take his side’s last penalty but Mamo dived to the right and held onto the ball as Ethiopia cruised into the last four.

Coincidentally, Ethiopia’s journey into the quarterfinals was courtesy of an own goal by Tanzanian Salim Mbonde in the 92nd minute of their last Group A encounter on Saturday, an equaliser that saw both sides share the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

The Walia Antelopes needed to avoid defeat to make it to the quarterfinals.

Ethiopia will now face Uganda in the first semifinal on November 3 at the same venue. Uganda defeated Malawi 2-0 in the first quarterfinal earlier on Monday.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com