Bugembe — Kenya 5 Djibouti 1, Sudan 0 Burundi 1

DEFENDING champions Sudan virtually kicked themselves out of the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup semi-final contention when they lost to surprise package Burundi yesterday.

A superbly taken Eric Gatoto header off a curling Pierre Kwizera eighth minute free kick not only propped Burundi closer to the last four, but also blew away Sudan's chances of making it to the semis.

Sudan now face the unenviable task of beating heavyweights Zambia by a big margin and praying that Kenya to lose to Burundi in the tightly contested group.

Sudan coach Ahmed Babikir was rudely awoken to the bitter fact that it's one thing to spray passes and yet another to score.

"We were a better side but we failed to score. We didn't expect to go out of the tournament this early," lamented Babikir.

There was more drama in the earlier encounter as Kenya finally rose from its slumber to revive its chances of advancing.

Harambee Stars stormed the Kyabazinga stadium firing on all cylinders.

Francis Ouma was the day's hero with the tournament's first hat trick. He was on target as early as the fifth minute and was again on target in the 31st sealing the first half score at 2-0.

Joseph Shikokoti further boosted Kenya with a 58th minute free kick. Ahmed Daher got one for Djibouti before George Owino and Ouma sealed it for Kenya.