Rivals clash

Quarter finals TodayURA vs APR 1pm SS3Mafunzo vs Yanga 3pm SS3TomorrowAtletico vs AS VitaAzam vs SimbaFor the obvious reasons, there is a big rivalry between Rwandan and Ugandan football at national or club level, and the fans on either side of the boarder seem to enjoy every bit of it.There is no lost love between the two countries when it comes to football, and as APR and URA face off in the first quarterfinal of the 2012 Cecafa Kagame Cup this afternoon at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, tensions will be high as ever.After finishing third in group C with four points, APR face a confident URA side that won all their three group matches to make themselves one of the favourites to win the tournament.In the last meeting between the two sides, APR beat URA 1-0 in the final to secure their third Kagame Cup title in 2010, but fortunes seem to have changed for either team since then.APR’s Dutch coach Ernie Brandts has promised to attack the Ugandan tax collectors as he seeks to complete a treble in what is likely to be his final month in charge. He has already won the local league and cup.The Dutchman will rely on his Ugandan imports, who know a thing or two about their countrymen, to tame URA as he bids to reach the last four. Last year, APR failed to go past the group stage.The three Ugandans plying their trade in the military side include Johnson Bagoole, Dan Wagaluka and Habib Kavuma, who is yet to play in the tournament. The other two have played every minute in Dar es Salaam.Bagoole, who will even be facing his former club for the first time, made the error which gifted Yanga the second goal after he slipped when trying to clear a ball in the penalty area.“It is going to be an interesting game for the neutrals but tough for both teams,” Brandts admitted, before adding, “We will go offensive and make sure that we score goals. It’s a game we need to win to reach the semifinals, so don’t expect us to sit back and wait for URA to take the initiative.” “URA are a very strong team and we can not afford to underrate them but can not also give them too much respect,” added Brandts, whose two-year contract runs out on July 31.Coach Alex Isabirye told Ugandan media yesterday that he is relieved after his team avoided another home side at the next stage.“I am not saying APR is a weak team but it is tricky to play a home side in such tournaments because they will always throw every thing at you with the help of their fans. But I have respect for them (APR) and I expect a tough game,” said Isabirye.Isabirye has also been boosted with the recovery of injured players Owen Kasule, Oscar Agaba and Yayo Lutimba, who will all be expected to be in the starting team for today’s game.Defending champions Yanga take on Mafunzo of Zanzibar in the second quarter final match.Probable line-ups:APR: Jean Claude Ndoli, Albert Ngabo, Johnson Bagoole, Mbuyu Twite, Jean Claude Iranzi, Jean Baptista Mugiraneza, Kabange Twite, Dan Wagaluka, Selemani Ndikumana, Olivier Karekezi and Lionnel St. Preux.URA: Yasin Mugabi, Simeon Masaba, Allan Munaaba, Sam Mubiru, Yayo Lutimba, Owen Kasule, Augustine Nsumba, Ali Feni, Oscar Agaba, Sula Baagala and Robert Sentongo

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Rivals clash