Harambee Stars hope to beat Uganda Cranes

Kenyan team that eliminated Zanzibar in the semi-final on penalty shoot-out, they play Uganda in the final today. [PHOTO: STAFFORD ONDEGO/STANDARD

 

By Ernest Ndunda

KAMPALA; UGANDA: National Harambee Stars coach James Nandwa is optimistic that his charges will upset favourites and defending champions, Uganda, when the two sides meet this evening in a nailbiting clash of the Cecafa Tusker Senior Challenge Cup at Namboole Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.

Despite having two casualties, Nandwa said his focus is to win the title with his second string side. The match starts at 6pm. Nandwa will do without his dependable midfielder, Humphrey Mang’oli, who was injured in a quarter-final match against Malawi and substitute Victor Ochieng’ who had a serious eye injury when Stars knocked out Zanzibar to reach the final.

Uganda have not been comfortable with Harambee Stars, who denied them a chance of qualifying for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. It was in October last year at the same venue (Namboole Stadium) where Uganda needed to beat Kenya and make it to the 2013 continental showcase for their first Nations Cup finals since 1978.

But Kenya denied the Cranes that opportunity when they forced for a scoreless draw with Arnold Origi standing tall between the goal posts to deny the Ugandans their dream of playing in South Africa.

Nandwa said his boys will not be under pressure as the Cranes would be at home and their supporters would be urging them on for goals.

“I have talked to my boys and we shall hold on the ball on the ground to deny them any passage. I have a lot of respect for Cranes, but we will not be push-overs,” said Nandwa.

He said many people had dismissed the Kenyan secondstring wing as a weak side, but they have proved many critics wrong by making it to the final.

“I salute the boys for coming thus far. They have performed as per instructions and we are happy to be in the final,” added Nandwa.

“I would like also to thank Football Kenya Federation and Kenyan supporters for being behind Harambee Stars since the

tournament kicked off a fortnight ago,” added Nandwa.

Cranes coach Robert “Bobby” Williamson said he preferred meeting another team than Kenya in the final.

“It is going to be a tough match as I have a trophy in my shelves to retain and this can only come true by beating Kenya,” said Williamson.

“It is unfortunate that I will be meeting Kenya again after we met in the opening match where we laboured to beat them 1-0,” said the coach. Uganda made it to the final after they edged out Tanzania 3-0 in the last semi-final on Thursday night at Namboole Stadium

 

 

 

 

 


 

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