Quarters hurdle: Last eight fight for Kagame Club Cup semis slots today and tomorrow

Allan Wanga of El-Merreikh surges forward during their Cecafa Kagame Cup 2014 match against Banadir of Somalia at Kigali Regional Stadium in Nyamirambo last week. [PHOTO: PIC CENTRE]

Six regional teams boarded the plane back home, as the eight survivors started a new  quest to claim the Cecafa Kagame Club Cup, which enters quarter-finals stage today.

Gor Mahia, Benadir (Somalia), Telecom (Djibouti), Adamma (Ethiopia), KMKM (Zanzibar) and champions Vital ‘O (Burundi) fell by the side after the groups stage.

Police, APR, Rayon Sport (all Rwandan), Atletico (Burundi), Azam (Tanzania), El-Merreikh (Sudan), Atlabara (South Sudan) and KCCA will contend in the last eight matches today and tomorrow at the Nyamirambo Stadium here in Kigali.

On Sunday, an erratic APR left local fans complaining as their loss to Kampala City County Authority (KCCA) confirmed their fear that they will have to carve their path past another Rwanda giant, Rayon Sport.

Prior to the start of the event, APR had stunned Rayon 2-0 in a build-up match and many feared Rayon’s move to release five players had created a weak point in the team.

But Rayon Sport new coach Jean Francois has instilled belief in his side and has been consistent in the group stage ties, claiming almost a 100 per cent record.

However, APR poses a new threat. Rayon, known here as The Blues, will be hoping to maximise home advantage to win their second Cecafa championship, having bagged their first silverware in 1998 in Zanzibar. They made semis last year in Darfur.

“These teams have much to do if they are to be champions. The players must do more. Togolese new signing Sekle Zico Yao is yet to play to his full potential and the opposition is becoming stronger,” said Francois, a Belgian.

Another Rwanda side, Police, will be the first to play in the quarters against Atletico of Burundi. Uganda’s KCCA have shown consistency, beating giants Gor and APR to top Group B. They will play South Sudan’s Atlabara, who finished third in Group A.

Rwanda’s other team, Police FC, will take on Atletico of Burundi, who qualified as best loser (from Group B).

Tanzanian greats Azam, who finished behind Rayon Sports, will meet El Meriekh of Sudan, who finished second in Group C.

Allan Wanga has failed to sparkle in the contest, most of the time staying cut out from his team, as he fights as a lone striker upfront.

“We are getting to know each other. We play as a team and lose a team. To single me out for blame is not right. I try had to play well and help the team win,” said Wanga.

The winner between Police and Atletico will face the winner of Rayon Sports versus APR. The one who prevail between El Merreikh and Azam will play the winner of Atlabara versus KCCA in the semis at Amahoro Stadium on Friday.

Meanwhile, Gor left Kigali yesterday. Coach Bobby Williamson was disappointed with the results, but said they will shoulder it all as a team.

“One thing stood out; bad officiating. The referees were against KCCA (2-1 defeat) and against APR (2-2),” said Williamson.

“Our priority is now to do well in KPL. We have a massive game at the weekend and we aim to remain on top of the league table,” he said.