Hosts win 6-1, Kawuma sent off
Timbe’s boys must beat Mathare today

Tuesday’s result
Mathare Utd 3-0 Kartileh
El Merreikh   6-1  Atraco

Today’s fixture
Mathare Utd  v Atraco
El Merreikh   v Kartileh Fc

KHARTOUM, SUDAN - After getting a rude welcome to the 2009 Kagame Club Championship with a 6-1 loss to hosts El Merreikh on Tuesday night, Rwanda league champions Atraco have no choice but to win today’s game against Kenya’s Mathare United if they are to rekindle their hopes of progressing to the quarter final stage.

Against a strong El Merreikh side that boosts of three Nigerians and six Sudanese internationals, Atraco completely failed to find their final kill in the opponents’ backline and had to pay heavily. 

Nigerian import Indorance Idhor netted a brace, while Naserdin Shigail, Badreldin Galag, veteran Faisal Ajab and Haytham Tambah picked one a piece as El Merreikh run rings around Atraco.

Peter Kagabo pulled one back for Atraco in the 49th minute to make the score 4-1, but coach Sam Timbe’s boys could not match the quick El Merreikh side that also exposed Atraco’s defensive midfield manned by Ugandan international Johnson Bagoole.

Defender Charles Kawuma sent-off for a second bookable offence will today be rendered a spectator in the stands as Atraco try to redeem themselves ahead of their last group game against lowly rated Kartileh Fc of Djibouti.

Coach Timbe, who has won the Kagame Cup with Ugandan sides SC Villa and Police Fc said although they failed to shut out El Merreikh because of some silly mistakes, they are more than ready to come all out and try to pick a win against Mathare United today.

"We need to beat Mathare United and Kartileh to be able to qualify for the quarter finals and the boys are well aware of that,” said the soft spoken Timbe.

His counterpart Francis Kimanzi told Times Sport that although they started with a good 3-0 win in the first game on Tuesday, they want to make it even better against the Rwanda champions today.

"The pressure will be more on the Atraco team than us, but we also have to up our game because every match is now crucial,” said the former Harambee Stars tactician.

The Kenyan side were 3-0 winners over Kartileh Fc in the opening game of the two-week championship.

Meanwhile, hosts Sudan put-up one of the most magnificent opening ceremonies in Cecafa’s history on Tuesday night with some excellent dancing groups and beautiful fireworks displayed at the El Merreikh stadium.

Group A table standing
                    P  W   D L Pts
El Merreikh   1  1   0 0   3   
Mathare Utd  1  1   0   0  3
Kartileh Fc   1 0   0  1 0
Atraco Fc        1   0   0   1  0

Ends