It's win or perish for Kenya: Tanzania coach declares ‘war’ on hosts ahead of tie

CECAFA TOURNAMENT 2017 Harambee Star's George Odhiambo during CECAFA Challenge Cup match against Zanzibar at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos County. Dec 8, 2017. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Already eliminated Taifa Stars aim to stop Harambee Stars from advancing to semifinals.

Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro Stars head coach Ammy Conrad Ninje has warned Kenya to prepare for a ‘football war’ when they meet today at 4pm.

The two sides clash in what is expected to be an explosive last Group A match of the ongoing 2017 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

The fixture will be preceded by an encounter between group leaders Zanzibar and fourth placed Libya.

While second placed Kenya are facing a must-win situation going into the match, the winless Tanzanians will be aiming to end the tournament on a high.

A win against Kilimanjaro Stars, will see Kenya qualify for the last four irrespective of the result from the other match.

However, it seems like the Tanzanians are planning to auction Kenya as their defiant coach has warned of a tough match.

“We will approach the Kenya game from a professional manner. Every game for us is like a Cup final. We have already lost in two finals and we are left with one. So, we will give our all against Kenya,” said Ninje, a former Hull City Academy coach.

“We don’t want to go back with a point. So, that’s the message to Kenyans.”

But for Kenya head coach Paul Put, despite being under pressure, he knows their qualification to the last four lies in their own hands.

“We are second in position, so we still have a chance to go through. We have to believe in ourselves when we face Tanzania because it will be a pressure game. Sometimes, you need luck to win matches. I hope we will have it today,” said Put.

Meanwhile, Uganda Cranes qualified for semi-finals of the Cecafa Senior Challenge after edging out Ethiopia in group B match which ended in a 1-1 draw at Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega.

Uganda needed a point to book a slot in the semis with five points ahead.