CECAFA Dar Port Kagame Cup
Coaches speak ahead of CECAFA Dar Port Kagame Cup 2024 kick-off
It’s action time today as the CECAFA Dar Port Kagame Cup 2024 finally kicks off at the KMC Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Hay Al Wadi from Tanzania will battle Zanzibar Premier League champions JKU SC in a Group A opening match, and after Coastal Union FC (Tanzania) take on Somalia’s Dekadaha FC.
Two Group C matches will also be played later today between three time winners SC Villa (Uganda) and Al Merriekh Bentiu FC from South Sudan, while Rwanda giants APR FC play against Singida Black Stars FC in the last match of the day.
The tournament which will run from July 9th to 21st is supported by the Sudan Football Association (SFA), Dar es Salaam Port, Azam TV and Tanzania Football Federation (TFF).
But before teams take to the pitch, Cecafaonline picked these thoughts from the twelve coaches.
Darko Novic (APR FC, Rwanda)
“I am very happy with how preparations have been going in general since I arrived. It is good that we shall have the chance to play in the tournament in Tanzania which will also help me to assess several things.”
Stojanovic Dusan (SC Villa, Uganda)
“This is a good opportunity to try out my players and assess several aspects ahead of the coming busy season. It is good we shall also have good match practice as we prepare for the CAf Champions League.”
Chisi Mbewe (Red Arrows FC, Zambia)
“Tournaments like CECAFA can foster team cohesion and bonding, which is crucial for team spirit and morale, especially when transitioning between different competitions.”
Muhsin Sayed Osman Elamin (Hay Al Wadi FC, Sudan)
“We are happy to have the chance to play in this tournament which will help my players have a lot of much practice against different teams.”
Salum Ali Haji (JKU SC, Zanzibar)
“This is a good chance to prepare and test my players with many matches in the Kagame Cup. This tournament has come at the right time for us.”
Ramsey Sebit Lumori (El Merriekh Bentiu FC, South Sudan)
“We are here to gain as much experience from the tournament which will help us prepare well ahead of the CAF Champions League. This tournament has come at the right time for us.”
Patrick Aussems (Singida Black Stars FC, Tanzania)
“Since I have just joined the team, I am happy to have the team play in the Kagame Cup at such a time because it will help me assess many things. We are going to compete and not just to participate.”
Florent Ibenge (Al Hilal SC, Sudan)
“We are very happy to play in the Kagame Cup because it will give my players good practice and help assess where we are as a team. You know that the political problems in Sudan have not given us chance to play active Football for over a year now.”
Leonardo Neiva Martins (Gor Mahia FC, Kenya)
“We expect a very competitive tournament in Tanzania. But this come at the right time to help me assess the team since I have just joined a few days ago.”
Mohamed-Kader Daher Ahmed (ASAS Djibouti Telecom, Djibouti)
“We are happy to have this opportunity to test our team against others from the region. This is a very good tournament for our team.”
Said Gesey (Dekedaha SC, Somalia)
“We are ready for the Kagame Cup because the team has prepared well. This is a good tournament for us to gauge at what level is our team.”
David Ouma (Coastal Union FC, Tanzania)
“We are glad to have the chance to participate in the Kagame Cup because it will give our players good top level practice. We are here to learn and also compete.”