Kenya 1-0 Cape Verde Eric Odanga
BBC Sport, Nairobi |
 Kenya fans celebrate a fourth Nations Cup appearance |
Teenage striker Dennis Oliech handed Kenya their first appearance in the African Nations Cup finals for 12 years when he scored to give his side a 1-0 win over Cape Verde on Saturday. Second-half substitute Oliech scored six minutes from time to make sure of Kenya's top place in Group Five and a place at January's bi-annual tournament in Tunisia.
"I knew the match would be tough but I am happy that we pulled through," said Kenya coach Jacob Mulee afterwards.
The two teams appeared evenly matched in the first half with neither side dominating. But in the second period, the Kenyans stepped up pressure.
Oliech then found himself at the end of good pass from Titus Mulama and fired a thunderous shot into the back of the opposition's net.
Thousands of people, including President Mwai Kibaki, packed the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi to cheer the home side to victory.
Bonfires were lit on the terraces after the final whistle and the players were lifted shoulder high by ecstatic fans.
MMIX
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