Brandts craves for Cecafa success

WITH the Primus league already in the bag, APR coach Ernie Brandts now has his eyes on the lucrative Cecafa Kagame Cup.The tournament, first held in 1974, will now run from June 21-July 5 after being moved from Sudan to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Friday, June 03, 2011
APR coach Ernie Brandts has his eyes on the Cecafa Kagame Cup. (File photo)

WITH the Primus league already in the bag, APR coach Ernie Brandts now has his eyes on the lucrative Cecafa Kagame Cup.

The tournament, first held in 1974, will now run from June 21-July 5 after being moved from Sudan to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Last year, the army-side, under the stewardship of Erik Paske, edged Ethiopia’s St. George 2-1 in the final to lift their fourth title so Brandts wants to emulate his Dutch counterpart.

"After Sunday’s Nations Cup qualifier against Burundi, we shall regroup and start intensive preparations for Cecafa,” he said.

"I know what the competition means to the fans.

Last week, Cecafa Secretary General Nicholas Musonye confirmed that the tournament had switched venues –from Sudan to Tanzania

"The tournament will be in Tanzania and we shall make an official announcement next week,” Musonye said. This was necessitated by the situation in Uganda’s northern neighbours.

In addition, the main sponsors in Sudan – El Merreikh – failed to agree with the local federation there whom they felt were not ready to host the tourney.

Musonye thinks that moving the event is in the best interest of everyone.

"We have spoken to our sponsors, some of whom are in Tanzania and I am confident that they (Tanzania) will host a good tournament.”

Etincelles are Rwanda’s other representatives in the tournament were President Paul Kagame has splashed $60,000 (about Rwf35.5m) in prize money.

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