Zanzibar keeper Mohamed Khamis saved two penalties to beat Zambia

Zanzibar beat Zambia 4-3 on penalties as defending champions Uganda eliminated hosts Kenya 1-0 to make it to the last four of the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup.

Uganda and Zanzibar will now meet on Thursday in the first semi-final of East and Central Africa's regional championship.

Zanzibar held guest side Zambia to a goalless draw in normal time and the game then went straight to spot kicks.

Substitute goalkeeper Mohamed Khamis proved to be the hero for the islanders who saved two Zambian penalties.

Zambia's coach Herve Renard, the only man handling a team going to next month's Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, was clearly disappointed.

"We have gained a lot from this tournament, some of these players will be going to the Nations Cup," he said after the game.

"But of some concern is that if you cannot score penalties in the Cecafa tournament, you can't expect to be any better in the Nations Cup."

Zanzibar's coach Hemed Abdelatif of Morocco was understandably elated.

"It's absolutely fantastic to go through," he said.

"I just admire the players for taking the pressure and doing their best, Zambia is the best team in the tournament and will proud to have played well against them.

"We shall play to our full potential and hope to succeed in the semis and in the final itself."

Robert Sentogo got the only goal of the game as defending champions Uganda beat Kenya, in what was a repeat of last year's final.

Kenya coach Twahir Muhiddin blamed the defeat on injuries to several of his players.

"Kenyans should not give up but continue supporting their team," he said after the game.

The Cranes Scottish coach Bob Williamson was happy with the result pointing out that matches between the two countries are always tough.

"The Kenyans played well but wasted many scoring opportunities," he said.

"For us we are looking to successfully defending the title."

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