Rivalry renewed

Cecafa Tusker Challenge CupToday (SS9, TVR)3rd place play-offTanzania vs Sudan- 1pmFinalRwanda vs Uganda -3pm FANS of football and rivalries will get the best of both worlds this afternoon when Rwanda take on Uganda in what is expected to be a scintillating Cecafa Tusker Challenge Cup final at Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Friday, December 09, 2011
Rwanda's goal scoring machine Olivier Karekezi stretching during one of the team's training sessions.

Cecafa Tusker Challenge Cup
Today (SS9, TVR)
3rd place play-off
Tanzania vs Sudan- 1pm
Final
Rwanda vs Uganda -3pm

FANS of football and rivalries will get the best of both worlds this afternoon when Rwanda take on Uganda in what is expected to be a scintillating Cecafa Tusker Challenge Cup final at Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

The match is a repeat of the 2009 final in Nairobi which the Uganda Cranes won 2-0.

Amavubi, who have scored 12 goals and conceded four, are looking to finish the tournament unbeaten. Uganda Cranes, on the one hand, should be spurred on by their remarkable record in the tournament. Bobby Williamson’s side is gunning for a record 12th title. The closest team is Kenya with five titles.

In the build-up to the match, Amavubi coach Milutin Micho cautioned his players to be extra vigilant against the physical Ugandans.

The Serbian insists that his players have to cover every blade of grass to stop Uganda Cranes from moving the ball around.

"We have to make it tough for them. They are good on the ball so we can’t afford to give them room,” he said, before adding, "overall, it should be an interesting game. Both teams are up for the challenge but I hope my team wins because they have had a good tournament thus far.”

Williamson is expected to make one change from the side that crashed Tanzania 3-1 in Thursday’s semi-final. Habib Kavuma, who plies his trade with APR in the Primus League, comes in for the suspended Godfrey Walusimbi.

Rwanda reached the final after seeing off Sudan 2-1. Jean Claude Iranzi and Olivier Karekezi scored Amavubi’s goals.

On top of the trophy, the winner will pocket $30,000 while the losing finalist will settle for a consolation $20,000. The winner of the third place play-off match between Zanzibar and Tanzania will take home $10,000.

Probable line-ups

Rwanda: Jean Claude Ndoli, Albert Ngabo, Frederic Ndaka, Ismail Nshutiyamara, Eric Gasana, Andrew Buteera, Jean Baptista Mugiraneza, Jean Claude Iranzi, Haruna Niyonzima, Olivier Karekezi and Meddie Kagere

Uganda: Abby Dhaira, Andrew Mwesigwa, Habib Kavuma, Tony Maweje, Isaac Nsinde, Simeon Masaba, Sula Matovu, Musa Mudde, Dan Wagaluka, Mike Sserumaga and Hamis Kiza.

bonnie.mugabe@newtimes.co.rw