Home teams into semis

Rwanda (red) will now contest the semi-finals on Thursday

By Sport Online's Helen Vesperini in Kigali.

The semi-final line up for the Cecafa Cup tournament in Rwanda has been decided - and both home teams have made it through.

Surprisingly crowds at the Amahoro stadium dwindled for the quarter-final matches with many fans feeling the pinch financially.

In Tuesday's quarter finals Ethiopia beat Burundi in a penalty shoot-out to go through to Thursday's semis, while Rwanda overcame defending champions Uganda 3-2.

Ethiopia got off to the better start in the first match.

Abay Yordanos opened the scoring after 30 minutes then Bayou Mulu increased their lead 20 minutes into the second half.

Jean Michel Yohanas scorted Ethiopia's winning penalty

But Burundi refused to give up and with eight minutes remaining Jumaine Karimbi's goal gave them hope.

Muhamed Tchit then sent the fans wild with an equaliser three minutes from time.

Thirty minutes of extra time failed to break the deadlock and the match went to penalties, with Ethiopia eventually winning it 5-3.

Maulidi Jumapili, who missed Burundi's final penalty, threw himself on the ground in despair.

But a jubilant Ethiopian coach Asrat Haile, could not hide his jubilation.

"Happy? Of course I'm happy. How can you even ask me the question?" he said.

Burundian coach Yaoundé Kagabo said defeat would serve as a lesson to his team.

"We didn't have a lot of preparation," he said.

"We have to take this tournament seriously because the last two times we didn't reach the final," he told BBC Sport Online.

The evening's second match proved just as nail-biting as Rwanda overcame defending champions Uganda 3-2.

Peter Makanga out Uganda ahead after 25 minutes but the lead was short lived as Rwanda's Eric Nshimiyimana equalised a minute later.

Before the home fans had stopped celebrating Olivier Karekezi had made it 2-1.

But Uganda were not to be outdone and two minutes into the second half Alex Isabirye equalised.

Again Rwanda pushed forward with the home fans willing them on and with 20 minutes gone Hamissi Bogumaho answered their call with a stunning strike.

Cesar Kayizari, the head of the Rwandan Football Association, admitted the game had been tough.

"Tonight was hard," he said.

"Uganda were determined also - they must be given credit."