Uganda crowned Cecafa U-18 Champions

 Uganda were on Friday evening crowned CECAFA U-18 Champions after rallying from behind to edge Kenya 2-1 in a scintillating climactic finale at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, Mamboleo in Kisumu.

The determined Ugandans have thus ended Junior Stars memorable outing in the championship after being touted the favourites to bag the title, after winning all their previous matches.

MOFA Academy's Syphas Owuor broke the deadlock in the 65th minute to give Stars the lead after seeing the first half end in a 0-0 stalemate.

And with 12 minutes to go Batiitwe Okello equalised for Uganda from a corner after poor defending from the hosts, silencing the enthusiastic Kenyan fans who parked stadium to the brim.

This came just two minutes after Aldrine Kibet missed a golden chance to extend Kenya's lead.

Uganda completely dominated the game thereafter, searching for a winner but Kenya forced an extra time after defending well to cut off the visitors' attacks.

Seconds after the start of the first half of extra time, the championship's MVP Hakim Mutebi broke Kenya's hearts, netting the all important winner, after yet another lapse of concentration from Kenya's defence.

Junior Stars search for an equaliser and force penalties bore no fruits and Ugandans held on well to keep their lead until the final whistle.

Despite the loss, Kenya bagged two individual awards with Ibrahim Wanzala who provided an assist for Stars' goal winning the Golden Glove after keeping three clean sheets.

Fans' favourite Aldrine Kibet walked away with Golden Boot after bagging three goals in the championship.

Fans will only hope for the light at the end of the tunnel after Stars entertaining game gave them a glance of what to expect in the future.