It’s photo finish in CECAFA Group B
Jan 07, 2009
A situation where teams battle for semi-final slots up to the very last day of the group stage is every football fan’s dream. That’s exactly what Burundi, Kenya and Zambia will be up to when they wind up CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup Group B action toda
By J. Bakama, B. Mugoda
and C. Okalebo
A situation where teams battle for semi-final slots up to the very last day of the group stage is every football fan’s dream. That’s exactly what Burundi, Kenya and Zambia will be up to when they wind up CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup Group B action today with two potential crackers.
So stiff is the race that not even current table leaders Burundi is assured of a slot in the last four.
Zambia, who take on Sudan, would appear clear favourites but you can’t rule out a last ditch surprise from the 2007 champions who for pride’s sake wouldn’t want to wind up the tournament without a win.
Both sides are adventurous with an ability to spray passes, an attribute which should be better pronounced on the more even Nakivubo pitch.
Given Sinkuluma, who Ugandans prefer to call Serunkuuma, and Roger Kola will be the Chipolopolo strikers to watch.
Sudan has been more of a side rolling as a unit without any outstanding stars. Not even 2007 top scorer Abdulhamid Amari has stood out. But from the team’s teamwork could spring a surprise.
Burundi versus Kenya later in the day has all the markings of a cracker.
If comparisons are to be made then Burundi has edge over the Harambe Stars with a Claude Nahimana-led attack that has scored in every match.
Burundi’s Achilles heel could however be its defence. Coach Gilbert “Yaounde†Kanyenkore’s side always looks confused when under siege.
Kenya, who boast of a superior backline, will be praying that Francis Ouma, scorer of the tournament’s first hat trick, re-discovers his form.
Meanwhile FUFA Eastern delegate Mohammed Faisal has protested FUFA’s decision to change Group B’s last encounters that were shifted from Bugembe to Nakivubo.
“How can few people in Kampala decide to change our most powerful matches. We are not happy,†Faisal complained.
and C. Okalebo
A situation where teams battle for semi-final slots up to the very last day of the group stage is every football fan’s dream. That’s exactly what Burundi, Kenya and Zambia will be up to when they wind up CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup Group B action today with two potential crackers.
So stiff is the race that not even current table leaders Burundi is assured of a slot in the last four.
Zambia, who take on Sudan, would appear clear favourites but you can’t rule out a last ditch surprise from the 2007 champions who for pride’s sake wouldn’t want to wind up the tournament without a win.
Both sides are adventurous with an ability to spray passes, an attribute which should be better pronounced on the more even Nakivubo pitch.
Given Sinkuluma, who Ugandans prefer to call Serunkuuma, and Roger Kola will be the Chipolopolo strikers to watch.
Sudan has been more of a side rolling as a unit without any outstanding stars. Not even 2007 top scorer Abdulhamid Amari has stood out. But from the team’s teamwork could spring a surprise.
Burundi versus Kenya later in the day has all the markings of a cracker.
If comparisons are to be made then Burundi has edge over the Harambe Stars with a Claude Nahimana-led attack that has scored in every match.
Burundi’s Achilles heel could however be its defence. Coach Gilbert “Yaounde†Kanyenkore’s side always looks confused when under siege.
Kenya, who boast of a superior backline, will be praying that Francis Ouma, scorer of the tournament’s first hat trick, re-discovers his form.
Meanwhile FUFA Eastern delegate Mohammed Faisal has protested FUFA’s decision to change Group B’s last encounters that were shifted from Bugembe to Nakivubo.
“How can few people in Kampala decide to change our most powerful matches. We are not happy,†Faisal complained.