|
Kili Stars eye third slotKenya, Uganda in memorable Cecafa final |
|
Written by Daily News
|
|
Monday, 12 January 2009 |
KILIMANJARO Stars will be out in search for a third place in the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup tie against Burundi, at the Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) today. The third place play off will start from 4 pm. Both teams are aware that it is meaningless to come this far only to go home empty handed. The match should, therefore, be hotly contested.
Burundi has yet to get their first choice goalkeeper Vladmir Niyunkuru off the injury list, while Tanzania will be without suspended Salum Sued, who was red carded in the semi-final match against Uganda on Saturday.
It was the first red card for the central defender in his national team jersey. Sued, who boast 44 caps will miss the encounter for the first time since he missed the match against Senegal away in Dakar on March 24, 2007, where Stars succumbed to a humiliating 4-0 drubbing. However, Kilimanjaro Stars will invite back captain
Shadrack Nsajigwa and Kevin Yondan, key defenders who missed the semis.
Uganda and Kenya clash in the final later at the same venue and the organizers could not have wished for a better clash.
The two sides are traditional football rivals and today’s battle promises to be action- packed and full of memories that will linger on the minds of many for long. The tie will be a rematch of the 1982 final in Kampala, but at the now aged Nakivubo War 11 Memorial Stadium, where Kenya came from behind to draw 1-1 and had their star goalkeeper Mahmoud Abbas saving two Ugandan penalties for victory.
With years, a new generation of players, coaches and even fans have since come along but the Ugandans’ desire to avenge that defeat remains. The Uganda Cranes would thus be the team under pressure in the 7pm clash that will also be televised live across Africa by tournament sponsors GTV.
The top prize in this tournament is US$30,000 with the second team going home with US$20,000 and the third US$10,000. The Ugandans have been powerful throughout the tournament, letting no chance eluding them since they hammered Rwanda 4-0 in the opening match.
Against Burundi in the semis, a slim victory would have carried them to the final, but they still went ahead to pump in five.
Coach Robert Williamson from Scotland will not be lowering his barrels against Kenya. He wants them focused on the target and firing.
Colourful Bryan Omony is the key man upfront. But he is not the only man the Kenyans will need to keep their eyes on. Kasule Owen, who missed the semis on suspension, will return for the final, Stephen Bengo is in great form, while Geoffrey Massa looks unstoppable.
To make matters bumpy for the Kenyans, midfielder Tonny Mawejje is on top of things, while captain Andrew Mwaisigwa is very adventurous.
Goalkeeper Dhaira Abbey has taken in only one goal, a penalty against Tanzania and would like to maintain that record. Williamson is confident he can handle Kenya, noting that the only team in the ten-team tournament he fears is Uganda.
But of course, the Kenyans will not be let to the slaughterhouse with a fight.
Coach Francis Kimanzi sat in through the Uganda against Burundi semi-final and looked confident that he had the formula to stop the marauding hosts.
“I have studied them and I think there is no reason to panic,” said Kimanzi who noted that he would spend most of Monday checking out the fitness level in his boys. “We have gone through a tough tournament and what I can promise all is that this is not going to be a walkover,” he said.
Duncan Ochieng’ had done well in goal, but will need to communicate better with his back four that should include Edgar Ochieng’, Joseph Shikokoti, George Owino and Mulinge Ndeto.
The Kenyan midfield has been slow in delivery despite the fact that this is where the team’s talent lies. Against Tanzania, Kimanzi utilized only Osborne Monday, leaving Jamal Mohamed on the bench for most of the match.
Austin Makacha was suspended. In their places came Fred Ojuang’ and Kevin Ochieng’. The two managed, not only to hold the midfield together, but also to give the team the muscle that Kimanzi wants.
Francis Ouma is the key striker and will need to be on top of things if Kenya has to win. In the past, he has wasted more than the chances he converts and this would not be acceptable at this stage. Mike Baraza was also strong in attack and would need to maintain that form.
But the Kenyans seems to be tired in the final phase of the match giving Tanzania a lot of room. If the Tanzania match was demanding, the tussle against Uganda will not only be demanding but bruising also.
 |
