Final group battles for CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup

The CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup enters the final climax in the groups stage today with two games on card at the Bahir Dar International Stadium, Ethiopia.

With Kenya and Burundi already through to the semi final stage, two more places will be decided this afternoon.

Djibouti who lost their opening match 3-0 to Kenya will take to the field first against South Sudan in a Pool C match, while Pool A table leaders Tanzania will face arch-rivals Uganda in the second game.

“We need to play a better game and take our chances. It is also very important that we defend well against South Sudan because we did not do that in our opening match,” says Djibouti’s head coach Julien Mette.

Djibouti will also hope that their forwards Isman Siad Yabe and Abass Fouad Abdourahman find their scoring touch.
But South Sudan’s coach Simon James Yor thinks with good concentration his team should be able to get maximum points. “We need to be very cautious and also sharp at goal because this match is very important for us,” says Yor.

In the second game Uganda who lifted the 2020 CECAFA U-20 Challenge Cup will be more than hungry to prove a point against Pool A table leaders Tanzania.

Morley Byekwaso, the Uganda head coach says he is aware the match will be a do-or-die affair since Tanzania is an organized side. “We have gone back to the drawing board and rectified out mistakes,” added Byekwaso. Tanzania will hope that Reliant Llusajo Mwakasagule who netted the lone goal against guest side DR Congo can continue with his scoring touch.

Kim Poulsen, the Tanzania coach admitted that facing Uganda will not be an easy task. “I know they will come all out, but we must be cautious and also take our chances,’ added Polsen.

The semi finals of the competition will be played on July 27th and the final and play-off on July 30th.