Super sub Tchetche Kipre's accomplished finish midway through the second half was enough to power guest-side Cote d'Ivoire to the final of the Cecafa Tusker Senior Challenge Cup with a 1-0 victory against Ethiopia at the National Stadium on Friday.
The bustling Jeunesse Club d'Abidjan striker used his speed to run clear on the left wing and beat Ethiopia keeper Jemal Bushera via the far post in the 79th minute.
It was a deserved win for the more enterprising west Africans who had created several good chances but were let down by poor finishing mainly from wayward forward Zoumana Kone.
This was the second time in as many matches that Kipre was coming in as a sub to grab the winning goal. He did it first in Cote d'Ivoire's 1-0 win over Malawi in the quarterfinals.
"Cote d'Ivoire looked streetwise. They had more efficiency and more know-how. It was a very strong team we played against and we are proud of our efforts. We are not down hearted," Ethiopia coach Ifem Onuora said.
Should have scored five goals
"I had watched Ethiopia in their previous matches I knew how they played but I knew how to play against them. If we were lucky we should have scored five goals," Cote d'Ivoire coach Georges Kouadio said.
The match started tentatively, with both teams packing their midfield.
Ethiopia were the poorer for this tactics as their passing, patient game was stifled while Cote d'Ivoire, with their ability for swift counters appeared to thrive.
The west African's showed their potent ability in the 15th minute, Kipre's twin brother Bolou feeding Marc Goug but his cross flashed across goal with no takers.
Kone got his first of many chances two minutes later, finding himself clear with only the goalie to beat but hurried his shot over the bar.
Destined for penalties
Eric Bile somehow headed wide when hitting the target from Goug's cross looked the most likely outcome in the 37th minute.
Kone was again wasteful 13 minutes into the second half failing to put the ball past Bushera following another one-on-one situation.
Despite the chances the match looked destined to be settled by penalties before the introduction of Kipre.
He duly delivered 26 minutes later and almost got a second in the 79th minute but was denied by the upright.
Source: Breaking News, Kenya
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