Semi-finals

Wednesday

Kenya Vs Rwanda

Uganda Vs Burundi

RWANDA U-15 national football team will be eyeing a spot in Friday’s final when they take on Kenya in semi-finals of the inaugural CECAFA U15 Challenge on Wednesday afternoon.

The game gets underway 2pm at Asmara National Stadium, in Eritrea.

Yves Rwasamanzi’s side progressed to the last four after finishing second in Group B, with nine points, following their 3-0 defeat to Uganda on Sunday. The latter topped the table with a maximum 12 points.

Group B also compromised  Tanzania who finished third, Ethiopia and South Sudan who only managed to collect one point each from their four games in the competition.

Speaking to Times Sport in a telephone interview from Eritrea on Tuesday, Rwasamanzi said all his players were in good form and high spirit ahead of the Kenya encounter.

"This is our most important game so far in the tournament because it is a knockout, and it is likely to be more mental and tactical than physical.

We have prepared well in every aspect and I am convinced it will be a moment for my boys to shine,” said Rwasamanzi.

He further added, "If we play to our potential and work to the very last minute, the odds will be on our side. We will give it our best shot for a spot in the final.”

In another semi-final clash, hopefuls Uganda will be up against Burundi. Kick-off 4:30pm.

The Cecafa U-15 Challenge Cup, the first of its kind in Africa, has been funded by the world football governing body, FIFA, and is aimed at helping the Eastern African teams to prepare for the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON U17) qualifiers that start early next year.

The semi-final victors will proceed to the final slated for Friday, which will be graced by the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Ahmad Ahmad.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com