Prize Money  Winners:  Frw.4.04M Runners: Frw.3.6 MThird:  Frw.1.7 M

Semi finalsUganda  3-0  RwandaBurundi  1-0  Kenya

Third-PlaceRwanda  2-2  KenyaKenya wins 5-4 on penalties

FinalsBurundi  2-0  Uganda

Rwanda’s hopes of cashing on the lucrative East and Central Africa U-17 championship came down clashing yesterday when it lost on penalties 5-4 to regional giants Kenya.

Rwanda lost to Kenya in the fight for the third place finish of the inaugural Cecafa youth championships which climaxed yesterday in Burundian capital Bujumbura.

Rwanda’s hopes were ruined on the 85th minute when Kenya got the equaliser after being down 2-1 for much of the game.

Kenya walked away 1.7m richer after the game.

Rwanda’s quest for first regional junior silverware was halted in the semi-final when they lost 3-0 to their regional nemesis Uganda on Saturday.

Rwanda national U-17 team scored eight goals in tournament against Zanzibar, Tanzania and Burundi in the Group stages and Kenya.

In the final played at Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium hosts Burundi humbled Uganda 2-0 to lift the inaugural championship that attracted seven teams from Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Zanzibar, Rwanda, Somalia and hosts Burundi.      

 Rwanda’s Ernest Kwizera and AS Kigali striker Hegyman Ngoma are the leading top scorers for the national youth team with three goals each.

The Championship was sponsored by Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete, Barclays Bank Tanzania, Confederation of African Football (Caf) and the Burundian government.

Ends