Tough hurdles as CECAFA Dar Port Kagame Cup semis take centre stage

It is D-day as the semi-finals at the on-going CECAFA Dar Port Kagame Cup 2024 take centre stage today in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.

Going into the first semi-final between Rwanda’s APR FC and Al Hilal (Sudan) at the KMC Stadium, it promises to be a thriller as the two teams did not suffer defeat in each of their three group matches.

Al Hilal who have never lifted the regional Cup registered a 2-0 win against ASAS Djibouti Telecom in their opening match, thrashed Red Arrows (Zambia) 5-0 and finished with a 2-0 victory against Kenya’s Gor Mahia FC.

For APR FC who have lifted the Cup three times stopped Singida Black Stars FC (Tanzania) 1-0, saw off El Merriekh Bentiu (South Sudan) 1-0 and completed the group stage with a 1-1 draw against Uganda Premier League reigning champions SC Villa.

Florent Ibenge, the Al Hilal coach has made it clear that they are determined to jump past the semi-final and get to the final. “We are hungry to go all the way and try to win the Cup. The team is very motivated and we are ready,” said Ibenge.

APR FC coach Darko Novic who only joined the Club last month has made it clear that playing against Al Hilal will be a very tough task. “They are enjoying a good run and won all their three matches in the group. But we shall plan accordingly because we have watched some of their matches and know what to expect,” added Novic.

The second semi-final clash will see another Sudan Premier League side Hay Al Wadi battle guest side Red Arrows FC at the Azam Complex, Chamazi.

Despite making it to the knock out stage as the best second placed team, the Red Arrows coach has said they will be a very different side in the knock out stage. “We started really slow because players quickly returned from holiday to prepare for this tournament. But we have picked up well and should be able to show a different attitude,” added the coach

The Zambian team stopped Gor Mahia FC 1-0 in their opening match, and suffered a miserable 5-0 defeat to Al Hilal. Red Arrows bagged a 1-0 win against ASAS Djibouti Telecom in the last group match to book a place in the semis.

For Hay Al Wadi they have proved to be a very difficult team that capitalizes a lot on finding goals in the first 45 minutes. They beat JKU SC (Zanzibar) 1-0 in the first match, picked a 2-1 win against Dekedaha FC (Somalia) 2-1, and finished with a 1-1 draw against Tanzania’s Coastal Union FC.

The regional tournament is sponsored by the Sudan Football Association (SFA), Dar Port through the Tanzania Ports Authority, Azam TV and the Rwanda President Paul Kagame. The champions will pocket US$30,000, the runner-up US$20,000, and the third placed US$10,00