Grand kick-off
Nov 25, 2005
IF the old proverb that you can have too much of a good thing is true, then the 33rd CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup that kicks off here today will certainly be much too much, reports Fred Kaweesi in Kigali.
Today: Rwanda v Zanzibar
Sunday
Somalia v Burundi (5pm)
Ethiopia v Uganda (7pm)
IF the old proverb that you can have too much of a good thing is true, then the 33rd CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup that kicks off here today will certainly be much too much, reports Fred Kaweesi in Kigali.
With the exception of a few uncertainties, the hosts in every right feel the two-week soccer festival at Amahoro Stadium will be rich in excitement and quality.
“Of course, why not? asked FERWAFA secretary Ceaser Kalisa. “We have done everything to ensure it’s one of the best in several years,†he added.
Part of the beauty on the opening day is the fact that president Paul Kagame will not only preside over the opening fixture that pits Rwanda national team Amavubi against Zanzibar but also bless his own charges and a nation thirsty to go all the way.
It is such expectations and the US $70,000 (sh132m) winner’s prize jackpot that have kept newly appointed Rwanda tactician Gilbert Kanyankore edgy in the run up to the opening fixture.
“It is a big game for us, we have to win. With the exception of (Jimmy) Gatete and (Olivier) Karekezi, the rest are young players I am sure will excite people,†said Kanyankore.
Minnows Zanzibar will embrace a complex game plan that will be sure to see them win their first tie, with the help of hundreds of neutrals predicted to attend, noisily challenging Rwanda’s right to consider this a home fixture.
Hosts Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, Eritrea, Djibouti, Zanzibar, Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia and Sudan will compete in Africa’s oldest championship sponsored by Ethiopian tycoon Sheikh Al Amoudi.
Group A: Rwanda, Kenya, Eritrea, Zanzibar
Group B: Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Uganda
Group C: Burundi, Tanzania, Sudan
Sunday
Somalia v Burundi (5pm)
Ethiopia v Uganda (7pm)
IF the old proverb that you can have too much of a good thing is true, then the 33rd CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup that kicks off here today will certainly be much too much, reports Fred Kaweesi in Kigali.
With the exception of a few uncertainties, the hosts in every right feel the two-week soccer festival at Amahoro Stadium will be rich in excitement and quality.
“Of course, why not? asked FERWAFA secretary Ceaser Kalisa. “We have done everything to ensure it’s one of the best in several years,†he added.
Part of the beauty on the opening day is the fact that president Paul Kagame will not only preside over the opening fixture that pits Rwanda national team Amavubi against Zanzibar but also bless his own charges and a nation thirsty to go all the way.
It is such expectations and the US $70,000 (sh132m) winner’s prize jackpot that have kept newly appointed Rwanda tactician Gilbert Kanyankore edgy in the run up to the opening fixture.
“It is a big game for us, we have to win. With the exception of (Jimmy) Gatete and (Olivier) Karekezi, the rest are young players I am sure will excite people,†said Kanyankore.
Minnows Zanzibar will embrace a complex game plan that will be sure to see them win their first tie, with the help of hundreds of neutrals predicted to attend, noisily challenging Rwanda’s right to consider this a home fixture.
Hosts Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, Eritrea, Djibouti, Zanzibar, Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia and Sudan will compete in Africa’s oldest championship sponsored by Ethiopian tycoon Sheikh Al Amoudi.
Group A: Rwanda, Kenya, Eritrea, Zanzibar
Group B: Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Uganda
Group C: Burundi, Tanzania, Sudan