The East and Central Africa Senior Challenge Cup ends today when defending champions Uganda Cranes meet Amavubi of Rwanda in the final match at the Nyayo Stadium here.
The match will be preceded by a third place play-off pitting Tanzania Mainland’s Kilimanjaro Stars and their brothers Zanzibar Heroes. The winners of the set to kick off at 1pm, will be awarded $10,000 (about Sh13m).
The Mainlanders were defeated by Amavubi 2-1 in the semi final match while The Cranes walloped Zanzibar 1-0 in the same stage.
Kilimanjaro Stars coach Marcio Maximo predicted for a tough game saying that the players of both sides knew each other well.
“It is going to be a tough match and unpredictable because most of the players who form Zanzibar Heroes are from the national team, Taifa Stars, so they know my tactics and techniques. They also know each other well because they do meet in the Vodacom Premier League,” Maximo said.
He said that apart from Kevin Yondani who was awarded a redcard in their last game and Danny Mrwanda who is nursing an injury, all players were in upbeat mood ahead of the game. He promised to use the regular players such as Mrisho Ngasa, Musa Hassan Mgosi, Salum Sued, to name, but a few.
On his part, Zanzibar Heroes’ coach Hemed Morocco boasted that they have prepared well to win the game. “We are fully prepared and we are free from injuries. We won’t repeat mistakes, which we did in the group stage where they defeated us 1-0,” he said.
Meanwhile, The Cranes tactician Bobby Williamson said yesterday that the final match would be easy for his side as the tough job to him was to reach in the final.
“My boys know what they are supposed to do. I hope they will retain the title,” Bobby said.
Winners will be awarded $30,000 while losers will pocket $ 20,000. Third finishers will bag $10,000.
Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Sports ministers from Tanzania and Uganda will be at the stadium to watch the Cecafa final.
