Do or die day for Burundi, Ethiopia

Nov 27, 2000

ETHIOPIA takes on Burundi today in a match that will complete the semi final line-up in the regional competition.

* Do or die day for Burundi, Ethiopia By William Muwonge Ethiopia v Burundi, 2.15pm. Uganda v Djibouti, 4.30pm. ETHIOPIA takes on Burundi today in a match that will complete the semi final line-up in the regional competition. The Group A rivals, meeting at Nakivubo, are locked in a close contest for a place at the last four stage. The match result will determine which team joins Uganda Cranes already through to the semi finals due on Wednesday and Thursday at Nakivubo Stadium. Burundi needs a win to advance while a draw would see Ethiopia through. Uganda will face lowly Djibouti in the last game of the group series to come 45 minutes after the Ethiopia-Burundi clash. Hosts Uganda, seeking a record eighth title, face a team out of the race and not expected to mount any serious challenge. Djibouti, yet to make an impact since joining CECAFA in 1994, has one point from three games. Somalia, the only original CECAFA nation yet to win the event, wound up their matches yesterday after a 3-0 defeat against Burundi. The match was played at 10.00am yesterday. The match had been put off on Saturday following a request from Burundi. The team had not trained for two days after re-locating to a new hotel on Thursday. The win kept Burundi on course for a semi final berth. Shaban Daoudi converted a 63rd minute penalty for Burundi's opening goal. The second goal came from Majid Ndikumana's long range shot on the left flank in the 76th minute before Mohamed Kimanda sealed victory four minutes to time. Burundi like Ethiopia play nearly the same brand of football - a short, fast, passing game. "It will be a difficult match, it is deciding our fate," Burundian coach Kazadi Mwilambwe said yesterday. Burundi comes for today's game against troubles of re-locating to a new hotel, two days of no training and playing two games in two days. Team captain Michel Minko, a professional in China, is doubtful for today's game after sustaining an ankle injury in an earlier game. Nicolas Kubi, the tournament top striker at three goals, midfielder Alphonse Gatera, Abdoul Nzeyimana in defence are the men to watch. Ethiopian coach Asraf Haile's skilled midfielder Sintahoyu Getachew, strikers Edrir Abubekel and defender Anyar Siraf could trouble Burundi like they have done to other teams. Scorers: 3 goals: Nicholas Kubi (Burundi) 2 goals: Hassan Mubiru (Uganda) Andrew Mukasa (Uganda) Hussein Seman (Ethiopia) Edrir Abubekel (Ethiopia) Sintahoyu Getachew (Ethiopia) Abdallah Irambona (Burundi) Julien Nsegiyumva (Rwanda) Moses Bantu (Uganda) Standings; Group A: P W D L F A Pts Uganda 3 2 1 0 10 3 7 Ethiopia 3 2 1 0 8 5 7 Burundi 3 2 0 1 8 4 6 Djibouti 3 0 1 2 4 8 1 Somalia 4 0 1 3 1 11 1 Group B: Lions 3 3 0 0 6 2 9 Rwanda 3 1 1 1 5 5 4 Eritrea 3 0 2 1 1 2 2 Kenya 3 0 1 2 1 4 1 Ends.

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