Uganda Cranes eye sh52m CECAFA prize
Dec 08, 2007
THE CECAFA Championship is the oldest Cup competition in Africa. So, it being a Cup event brings to mind George Weah’s most memorable quote about Cup tournaments. The legendary Liberian star once said of the Nations Cup: “Football is like a biscuit. It breaks where you don’t expect it to.â€
By Fred Kaweesi
SENIOR CHALLENGE CUP
Today opener
Tanzania v Kenya
Sunday
Uganda v Djibouti
THE CECAFA Championship is the oldest Cup competition in Africa. So, it being a Cup event brings to mind George Weah’s most memorable quote about Cup tournaments. The legendary Liberian star once said of the Nations Cup: “Football is like a biscuit. It breaks where you don’t expect it to.â€
In respect to that, the CECAFA championship that kicks off today with a cracking fixture between hosts Tanzania and Kenya’s Harambee Stars promises to be as unpredictable as ever.
Nine-time winners Uganda is among the 11 countries expected to contest for the US$30,000 (sh52m) prize money at stake for the eventual champion.
The Cranes stepped foot in Dar es salaam yesterday, but will make their first appearance tomorrow, against light-weight Djibouti. Rwanda and Eritrea are Uganda’s other Group B opponents.
Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro Stars last won the title in 1994. But having impressed during the 2008 Nations Cup qualifiers, the home fans will expect an inspired start against Kenya and later on convincing run that should help them to the title.
The Managing Director of Mohammed Enterprises Tanzania Ltd (METL), Mohamed Dewji, has already promised to award the home side $30,000 (sh52m) if they win the title.
In the event that the team fails to claim the championship, Dewji would still reward it with $20,000 (sh35m) if they finish second and $10,000 (sh17m) if they finished third.
CECAFA will give prizes to winners in the same pattern. Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia and Burundi complete Group A.
Zanzibar, who are drawn in Group C, and will engage Sudan and Ethiopia, possess some of the players that inspired Tanzania in the Nations Cup qualifiers.
Sudan will use the tournament as a warm-up for next year’s African Cup of Nations finals in Ghana.
There will be additional prize money for the most promising players, top goalkeeper and leading scorer. Zambia, guests at last year’s tournament, won the title.
Cranes team in Tanzania:
H.Kalyesuubula, H.Muwonge, M.Muwonge, A.Mwesigwa (captain), P.Makanga, S.Masaba, M.Doka, N.Kasule, A.Bajope, D.Wagaluka, R.Muganga, T.Odur, C.Okuti, V.Kayizzi, H.Kitagenda, P.Ssozi, J.Bagoole, J.Mulindwa, T.Mawejje and H.Kisekka.
SENIOR CHALLENGE CUP
Today opener
Tanzania v Kenya
Sunday
Uganda v Djibouti
THE CECAFA Championship is the oldest Cup competition in Africa. So, it being a Cup event brings to mind George Weah’s most memorable quote about Cup tournaments. The legendary Liberian star once said of the Nations Cup: “Football is like a biscuit. It breaks where you don’t expect it to.â€
In respect to that, the CECAFA championship that kicks off today with a cracking fixture between hosts Tanzania and Kenya’s Harambee Stars promises to be as unpredictable as ever.
Nine-time winners Uganda is among the 11 countries expected to contest for the US$30,000 (sh52m) prize money at stake for the eventual champion.
The Cranes stepped foot in Dar es salaam yesterday, but will make their first appearance tomorrow, against light-weight Djibouti. Rwanda and Eritrea are Uganda’s other Group B opponents.
Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro Stars last won the title in 1994. But having impressed during the 2008 Nations Cup qualifiers, the home fans will expect an inspired start against Kenya and later on convincing run that should help them to the title.
The Managing Director of Mohammed Enterprises Tanzania Ltd (METL), Mohamed Dewji, has already promised to award the home side $30,000 (sh52m) if they win the title.
In the event that the team fails to claim the championship, Dewji would still reward it with $20,000 (sh35m) if they finish second and $10,000 (sh17m) if they finished third.
CECAFA will give prizes to winners in the same pattern. Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia and Burundi complete Group A.
Zanzibar, who are drawn in Group C, and will engage Sudan and Ethiopia, possess some of the players that inspired Tanzania in the Nations Cup qualifiers.
Sudan will use the tournament as a warm-up for next year’s African Cup of Nations finals in Ghana.
There will be additional prize money for the most promising players, top goalkeeper and leading scorer. Zambia, guests at last year’s tournament, won the title.
Cranes team in Tanzania:
H.Kalyesuubula, H.Muwonge, M.Muwonge, A.Mwesigwa (captain), P.Makanga, S.Masaba, M.Doka, N.Kasule, A.Bajope, D.Wagaluka, R.Muganga, T.Odur, C.Okuti, V.Kayizzi, H.Kitagenda, P.Ssozi, J.Bagoole, J.Mulindwa, T.Mawejje and H.Kisekka.