Reigning champions Kenya Under-18 boys team will play Rwanda in the semi-finals of the International Handball Federation (IHF) Trophy Africa Zone 5 Championship at the Nyayo National Stadium.
The Kenyans qualified after beating Ethiopia 46-37 in the last game of their Group B fixtures. They took a deserved 25-13 lead at halftime.
After intermission, Kenya kept their foot on the gas and despite playing with four players at one point, managed to tactically finish the job.
Richard Masinde led all scorers with 15 goals while captain Yusuf Pwoka bagged nine. Dagawi Haiha managed the losers' 12.
Coach Juma Gerald said, "It was a tough but good game. My eyes are set on the prize. This is the first time our opponents have given us something to work on."
He went on, "It is the first time we conceded over 30 goals which means our defence is not compact but we will work on it."
The Unbeaten Kenya side had in their earlier matches won 57-9 against Djibouti and 49-15 over South Sudan.
In matches played earlier, Rwanda who will now play Ethiopia in the other semis hit Uganda 49-39 while Djibouti dismissed South Sudan 34-25.
Kenya U-20 side playing in Group A at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, Langata were locked out of the championship after succumbing to a 31-28 defeat against Uganda
The host bolted off to a fine start after Elias Kiprono rifled in an opener from a tight angle and they did well to lead 16-12 at the break.
With goalkeeper Paul Opiyo enjoying fine form between the sticks, Kenya maintained a four-goal cushion most of the time before collapsing with four minutes to play.
"We were doing well but were disorganized by the many two minutes the boys received in the crucial moments. Our goalkeeper did well to reduce their margin," offered coach Mathew Brian.
Kiprono bagged nine goals while Andrew Juma and Kelvin Masinde added five each for Kenya. Vincent Tibamwenda shot eight and Lukenge Emmanuel six for Uganda.
"Credit to my boys. We trailed for most of the time, but the good thing about them is that they don't t give up. They fought up to the end and won the game," said Ugandan tactician Frank Ssemujju. In other games, Kenya lost 28-25 to Burundi but recovered to thump South Sudan 59-11.
