CECAFA U-20 CHALLENGE CUP: We have the strategy to tame Tanzania – Coach Okumbi

Kenya’s coach Stanley Okumbi has said he has mapped out a strategy that will stop Tanzania in the Cecafa U-20 Challenge Cup final on Saturday. The two teams will clash in the final at the Fufa Technical Center in a match that promises to be a thriller.

In the group stage Kenya’s Rising Stars and Tanzania settled for a 2-2 draw.

But Okumbi made it clear that although the Tanzanian team is far much balanced, he has drawn a plan that will stop the high scoring Tanzanian team.

“Tanzania is a strong side. But this is a final and we need to get certain strategies right and the trophy will be headed to Kenya,” said Okumbi whose team is unbeaten in the tournament.

Kenya will however miss the services of Austine Otieno Odhiambo (three goals) who has accumulated two yellow cards. But Okumbi will hope that Sydney Lokale who netted four goals in the opening match against Zanzibar and get his scoring boots back where it matters most together with Benson Ochieng Oluoch (two goals).

But Tanzania’s coach Zeberi Katwila whose team has scored 17 goals says they are more than prepared to give a good account in the final.

“From the group stages to the final, we faced tough challenges. We even traveled to Gulu Town in for the quarter and semi-final matches which we won. We saw Kenya and know how they are playing. Kenyans are our brothers and it will be friendly fire,” added Katwila.

Although the coach refused to disclose his strategy ahead of the game, he made it clear his players are in high spirits ahead of the final. Kenya’s defenders will have to watch the sharp Tanzanian attacking line of Kelvin Pius John and Andrew Albart Simchimba who between them nave netted 13 goals.

The presence of Wallace Karia, the President of the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and some of his Executive members is also expected will also motivate the Tanzanian team.

The Cecafa U-20 Challenge Cup sponsored by FIFA has attracted 11 teams.

Kenya’s collected results

Kenya 5 Zanzibar 0

Tanzania 2 Kenya 2

Kenya 4 Ethiopia 0

Burundi 1 Kenya 2

Kenya 1 Eritrea 0

Tanzania’s collected results

Ethiopia 0 Tanzania 4

Tanzania 2 Kenya 2

Zanzibar 0 Tanzania 5

Tanzania 4 Uganda 2

Sudan 1 Tanzania 2