CECAFA SENIOR CHALLENGE CUP: We need to be clinical against Eritrea – Mette

The head coach of Djibouti’s national team Julien Mette has said his players will have to be very clinical when they face Eritrea on Friday in their crucial Group A match at the on-going 2019 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup. Djibouti who are the surprise team in the regional tournament kick started their campaign with a goalless draw against Somalia, before they shocked Burundi 2-1.

Mette made it clear that although Eritrea play well with a lot of passing, his team must be very cautious and also take the numerous scoring chances they create. “We must go all out and look for early goals because this game is very important for us,” added the coach who has only been with Djibouti for about five months.

Mette will hope that his two goal hero against Burundi Mahdi Houssein together with Abdi Hamza and Siad Yabe find their scoring touch against a well organized Eritrean side.

But Eritrea’s coach Haile Efrem Alemseghed made it clear that after losing 2-0 to Uganda in their last game they cannot afford another defeat. “We must win against Djibouti if we hope to make the semi final,” said the coach.

Alemseghed said that although his team pass the ball well, they must also be sharp in-front of goal. “We need the goals,” added the coach. The Eritrean coach Robel Michael Tekle said they are determined to pick their second win in the tournament. “The team is ready to get that important win,” he added.

While second placed Djibouti will face Eritrea in the first game, Burundi who are already out of the competition after losing three matches will face Somalia in their last Group A match at the StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo.

Already the defending champions Kenya and Uganda have qualified for the semi finals. The regional tournament that has attracted nine teams will climax on December 19th with the finals.

Group A table standing

P     W     D     L      GF     GA     A    Pts

Uganda      3      3      0      0      6        1       5     9

Djibouti      2      1      1      0      2       1       1      4

Eritrea        2      1      0      1      1       2      -1      3

Somalia      2      0      1      1      0      2      -2      1

Burundi     3      0      0      3      5       2     -3      0