Africa Cross Country: Kibet promises to tame Kenyans

Team Uganda Cross Country captain Mande Abdalah Kibet has promised to take on Kenya in the African Cross Country Championships in Younde, Cameroon this Saturday.

"I know Kenyans are ready for us. But we are well-prepared to take them on," said the Ugandan runner after the seven-strong team was flagged off by the National Council of Sports (NCS) secretary Nicholas Muramagi at Lugogo on Thursday.

"We have no worries because we are well prepared as a team. The good thing is that we shall all be facing the same challenges. I am hoping for positive results," he said.

The one-day race is expected to involve a strong field of over 500 athletes from the continent.

But Kibet said dislodging defending champions Kenya, Ethiopia and Eritrea is a feat that can anchor Uganda on top in Cameroon.

Philip Kipyeko, Mande Abdalah Kibet, Daniel Rotich and Moses Kurong are the men to take on the best African field for honours in the senior men 10km team event.

Individually, Stella Chesang, Janet Chemusto and Mande Bushendich will tussle it out for honour in senior women, junior women and junior men categories respectively.

The Ugandan team is under the tutelage of Police Athletics Club coach Benjamin Njia in the continental meet.

Kenya dominated in all categories in the last event that was last held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala in 2014.