CECAFA U-20 CHALLENGE CUP: Depleted Eritrea battle Kenya in semi final clash

Eritrea’s high scoring team will this afternoon face Kenya in one of the semi final matches at the on-going Cecafa U-20 Challenge Cup. Fresh from their convincing 5-0 win over Zanzibar in the quarter finals, Eritrea have promised to prove a point this afternoon at the Fufa Technical center ground.

“We know Kenya is a good side. But we are ready to prove a point that we did not get to the semi final by mistake,” said Eritrea’s head coach Haile Efrem Alemseghed.

The coach however said some players are nursing injuries and could miss the game. Mawel Tesfai Yoseif, the team’s leading scorer with six goals did not train on Tuesday and could miss the match. But skipper Robel Michael Tekle who has netted two goals has said they are well motivated to put up a good display.

“We shall also count on the many Eritrean fans we have in Uganda to motivate us win the game,” added Tekle.

But Kenya’s head coach Stanley Okumbi said although he respects Eritrea’s style of play and technical awareness, his boys are ready to battle all the way to the final.

“We had the chance of watching Eritrea play in the quarter final match and we know what to do to counter them,” added the coach. He however said attacking midfielder Musa Masika Wanyama who has played a pivotal role in the team so far will have to pass a late fitness test to make the team.

Kenya’s skipper and goalkeeper Brian Bwire Okoth made it clear that they must qualify for the final. “We are very confident of overcoming Eritrea,” added the confident captain.

Kenya will look to their leading striker Sydney Lokale (four goals) together with Benson Ochieng Oluoch (2 goals), and Austine Odhiambo Otieno (3 goals) to lead the goal hunt.

To reach the final Eritrea drew 1-1 against hosts Uganda before they drew 3-3 against Sudan before humbling Djibouti 7-0. Kenya brushed aside Zanzibar 5-0 before they drew 2-2 against Tanzania and went ahead to defeat Ethiopia 4-0 in the last group game. Kenya went on to recover from a goal down to eject Burundi 2-1 at the quarter final stage.