IHF Championship: Kenya Youth whitewash Ethiopia to book semis slot

Kenya Youth (Under 18) sailed to the semi finals of the IHF Trophy zone five championship with finesse after putting Ethiopia to the sword with a 46-37 win over Ethiopia in a clash staged at the Nyayo National Stadium on Thursday 27 October.

Kenya head coach Gerland Juma was impressed with the side but was not happy with the display from his defense which shipped in a lot of points in the game as touch on his semi finals opponents Rwanda.

IHF Championship: Kenya suffer second defeat andelimination

"The game was okay though a bit tough which is good because it gives us something to work on, for the first time we have conceded 30 goals in a game which means that my defense has something to work on going into the next round.

Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi are a good side but we have medicine for them. Playing at home is a huge advantage because in the previous editions we have had to do the hard work away from home," said Juma.

The winner of the tournament is set to qualify for the African Championship set for December in Conakry, Guinea with the tourney also serving as the qualifier for next year's World Championships.

This was a battle for Pool A top spot after Kenya won their opening two games while Ethiopia claimed a win over neighbors Djibouti which left them sitting second on the Pool by virtue of a better goal difference to Djibouti who also beat South Sudan.

The game was also a repeat of the 2018 Africa Zone 5 IHF tournament that was staged in Uganda with Kenya emerging champions.

Kenya came into the clash with a 100% record after registering wins over Djibouti and South Sudan, leaving them on the brink of qualification to the knockout out stages of the competition.

The hosts posted a blistering start to the game as they raced to a 8-0 lead in the opening 10 minutes before Ethiopia could finally put a point on the board with Dalmas Wanynui running riot for Gerland Juma's side.

Kenya continued to press their foot on the gas as they were no match for Ethiopia as they went into the half time break with a healthy 25-13 lead.

Ethiopia resumed the second half a different beast following some stern words from their head coach during his half time pep talk as they aimed to claw back the improbable comeback.

The closing stages of the second half was much more balanced as Ethiopia put up a much more spirited fight but it just was not enough as they lost 46-37 with Dagmawi Hailu starring for Ethiopia.