Williamson recalls Okwi, CECAFA warns him

By Abdallah Mubiru in Dar es Salam and Swalley Kenyi

CECAFA final, Saturday

Uganda v Rwanda, 3:15pm

UGANDA Cranes have won the CECAFA Challenge Cup a record eleven times but the team is still hungry for the regional Cup.

But their most challenging time in the regional Cup final should come on Saturday when hosts Tanzania that they ejected at the semifinal of the competition rallies behind Cranes archrivals Rwanda at the national stadium in Dar es Salam.

They face Rwanda in the final match and although they have met the Amavubi Stars at the same stage twice before and won both encounters, this final will be a toll order for Cranes coach Bobby Williamson’s charges.

Wehereas Williamson is expecting renewed rivalry between Uganda and Rwanda, CECAFA on Friday issued the Germany-Hungarian with a last warning against disrespect of match officials.

However, he has heaped praise on the opponents.

“They (Rwanda) are one of the most improved sides in the region. The fact that they are yet to lose a game since the tournament begun, explains it all. I think it will be a good final,” Williamson said.

Williamson will be without the services of suspended left back Godfrey Walusimbi and Habib Kavuma, who played upfront in the semifinal against Tanzania has been called on to step in.

Uganda rudely ejected Tanzania on the eve of their 50^th Independence Day celebrations and the Kilimanjaro Stars fans will certainly throw their weight behind Rwanda, who beat guests Sudan to qualify.

Uganda Cranes will need to depend on their vast experience that has seen them win the Championship eleven times.

On the way to their 2011 final campaign, Uganda kicked off in a top form against Zanzibar but struggled to win against Zimbabwe; and a 1-0 loss to Burundi was the climax.

But what appears to be their strength since the loss is the ability to regain and quickly put their campaign back on track.

Between strikers Hamis Kiiza and high flying Emma Okwi there are five goals they have scored in four matches and Williamson ability to keep the goal poachers hungry should be their strong point. Williamson has recalled Okwi to the starting lineup after he came off the bench to notch a much needed goal against Tanzania.

But he will need to ensure that between his defenders Isaac Isinde and Andy Mwesigwa, who were shaky throughout the semifinal game against Tanzania, are solid enough to tame the tournament top scorer Olivier Karekezi.

“We are in the right shape to reclaim the Cup. Everybody in camp is focused to win no matter how” said team captain Mwesigwa.

Uganda and Rwanda met at the same stage in 2003 and 2009; and the Cranes won both encounters. Rwanda has one title that they won the championship in 1999 in five final appearances.

Probable Cranes line up;

Dhaira, Simeon Masaba, Habib Kavuma, Isaac Isinde, Andy Mwesigwa, Tonny Mawejje, Musa Mudde, Dan Wagaluka, Emma Okwi, Mike Serumaga and Sula Matovu