Uganda Cranes set to begin their campaign against neighbours Burundi

Uganda Cranes football team celebrate a goal in a past match

Champions Uganda will battle it out with Burundi at the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega this afternoon, as Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup enters match day two.  Cranes will play Burundi in a solitary match today after Zimbabwe pulled out of the competition a few days to the opener, citing insecurity fears.

Cranes have enjoyed successful matches where they finished second in their world cup qualifier matches with 9 points only bettered by Egypt in the group. They are going into the fixture as the favourites having had a splendid campaign in the past games, hence bagging 14 trophies in the process.

The Burundian national team, Swallows on the other hand will be seeking to lift the regional trophy for their first time; with their best performance having been seen as runners-up in 2004.

However, the Swallows will be missing the services of Gor Mahia defender Karim Nzigiyimana who has been sidelined by an injury and will be out for a longer spell. Another notable absentee is Kitenge of AFC Leopards who is sidelined with an injury.

 Burundi will rely on Simba hitman Laudi Niyugeko and Abdoul Razak to get points against Cranes. Uganda on the other hand will be relying on the services of AFC Leopards midfield maestro Allan Katerregga,  KCCA midfielder Saddam Juma among many others.