Event | 2013 CECAFA Cup | ||||||
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Date | 12 December 2013 | ||||||
Venue |
Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi, Kenya |
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Man of the Match | Allan Wanga | ||||||
Referee | Hagi Wiish (Somalia) | ||||||
Weather | Cloudy/Rainy 16 °C (61 °F) |
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The 2013 CECAFA Cup Final was a football match that took place on Thursday, 12 December 2013 at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi to coincide with Kenya's 50th Jamhuri Day celebrations. It was contested by the hosts Kenya and Sudan to determine the winner of the 2013 CECAFA Cup.
Prior to the match, the two nations had 8 titles between them, with Kenya claiming 5 titles, 8 less than the record 13 titles held by Uganda, who were knocked out by Tanzania in the quarter-finals. This was Sudan's first participation in a CECAFA Cup final since 2007, when they beat Rwanda 1–0 to clinch their 3rd title. This was also the first time the two nations faced each other in a final, and was Kenya's first win in 11 years.
Kenya, who were hosting the tournament as part of its celebrations of 50 years of independence, were drawn into Group A alongside Ethiopia and South Sudan, whom they were with in the same group the previous year, as well as Zanzibar. They began their campaign against Ethiopia on 27 November, with whom they drew 0–0 despite both teams having several chances to win the game. The next match against South Sudan proved to be a relatively easier affair for the Harambee Stars, who won the game 3–1 at the Nyayo National Stadium thanks to goals from Jockins Atudo, 2013 Kenyan Premier League top scorer Jacob Keli and David Owino, despite Atudo's goal being cancelled out by Richard Justin in the 26th minute. Kenya beat Zanzibar 2–0 in their last group stage match at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru, through Jockins Atudo's second goal from the penalty spot and a stunning strike from the edge of the penalty box by A.F.C. Leopards striker Allan Wanga. Since Ethiopia finished their group stage campaign with the same number of points, goal difference and goals as Kenya, a coin toss was decided on to determine the winner of Group A. Kenya won the toss and booked themselves a match against Rwanda in the quarter-finals.