Besides Eritrea, the rest of the countries in this group have won this competition before and share amongst themselves five championships.
Going by recent performances in various competitions including AFCON and World Cup qualifiers, Malawi are favourites to top the group but given his knowledge of African and the region’s football in particular, Mitcho and Rwanda also appear ready to give a good account of themselves in the competition but non-Fifa recognised Zanzibar and Eritrea are not poor sides either. Let’s get started with each country’s analysis.
RWANDA:
The Amavubi were unlucky to lose to Uganda on penalties in last year’s finals after twice leading the game and will hope for more luck this time.
They must however first negotiate this tricky group to reach quarters before thinking of winning the competition for only the second time in history having won it in 1999 when they beat Kenya 3-1 in the finals.
Interestingly, it was their side B that lifted it while their would be team A finished third in the tournament hosted in Kigali.
Coach Mitcho Sredojevich returns to Uganda for the first time in a dug out after leaving SC Villa in 2004. He is considered a legend by the Villa Park fans after guiding their club to the 2003 Cecafa Kagame Cup.
The Serb has promoted a number of youngsters from his U-20 side including Charles Tibingana and Andrew Buteera who ply their trade in Uganda.
With players such as Meddie Kagere and Farouk Ssentongo whose roots of origin are in Uganda, Rwanda is assured of overwhelming support from the fans too.
Besides the food poisoning allegations at one of the hotels during their preparations, the Wasps look well set and I don’t see them failing to make it out of the club.
Rwanda’s Cecafa record:
Champions: 1 Time (1999)
Runners-up: (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2011)
MALAWI:
The Flames of Malawi come as the tournament’s guest team but must not be under estimated. Before opting out of Cecafa to join COSAFA, Malawi was one of the strongest teams of the region and boosts of three championships making them the most decorated side in the group.
Malawi won back to back trophies in 1978 and 1979 and also in 1988. They have also been runners up on three occasions an implication that they are seasonal campaigners whenever in the tournament.
After missing out on a slot at AFCON 2013 to Ghana, Coach Kinnah Phiri will hope his side wins the tournament as a consolation this year.
Malawi’s Cecafa Record:
Champions: 3 Times (1978, 1979 and 1988)
Runners-up: 3 times (1975, 1984 and 1989).
ZANZIBAR:
Zanzibar is the only country of the 12 in the tournament that is not recognised by FIFA but has always competed favourably in the competition.
Zanzibar has fond memories in Uganda with their only Cecafa crown coming on Ugandan soil in 1995 when they defeated the Cranes of Uganda 1-0 in the finals at Nakivubo.
They are a side difficult to predict but their free flowing game can see them out of the group but must earn good results against all sides in the group to have a chance.
Zanzibar’s Cecafa record:
Champions: 1 time (1995)
ERITREA:
The side appears the weakest in the group on paper but still can’t be under estimated.
Coach Negasha Tekiri’s side will find it difficult against Rwanda and Malawi but will fancy his chance against Zanzibar.
Final Prediction:
It appears an easy group for Malawi and Rwanda but the underdog tags attached to Zanzibar and Eritrea should be given due attention.
Rwanda appears more likely to top the group followed by Malawi in second, Zanzibar in third place and Eritrea on the base of the group.
Group Winner: Rwanda
2nd Place: Malawi
3rd Place: Zanzibar
4th Place: Eritrea
Do you agree with the predictions?
