Saturday, November 24th
Mandela National Stadium, Namboole @ 6.00pm Live on SS9 East
Fireworks are expected Saturday evening at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole when Uganda and Kenya renew their rivalry in the Cecafa Tusker Cup 2012.
The two sides last met at the stadium in 2011 in the 2012 Nations Cup qualifiers in a match that ended in a barren draw to cost Uganda a place at Africa’s most prestigious soccer tournament held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
With both sides pooled in what is arguably the tournament’s group of death alongside Ethiopia and South Sudan, a result for the two in this game will be paramount in determining progress from the pool.
Uganda Cranes Team News:
Coach Bobby Williamson is expected to start with Iceland based custodian Abel Dhaira in goal with Denis Guma and Godfrey Walusimbi manning the right and left full backs respectively while Isaac Isinde and US based Henry Kalungi are expected to partner at the heart of defence.
Captain Hassan Wasswa is expected to shield the back four in the defensive midfield role with Geoffrey Baba Kizito playing in front of him as the attacking midfielder. However, URA FC’s Said Kyeyune and Joseph Mpande are also available for selection.
Moses Oloya who made his debut against Kenya last year is expected to play on the right wing with debutant Brian Majwega whose impressive performances for KCC FC in the league earned him a place in the squad is expected on the left.
Upfront, Emmanuel Okwi and Brian may start ahead of Yanga FC striker Hamis Diego Kiiza and Robert Ssentongo.
Probable X1 (4-4-2):
Abel Dhaira (GK)
Denis Guma Henry Kalungi Isaac Isinde Godfrey Walusimbi
Moses Oloya Hassan Wasswa (CPT) Baba Kizito Brian Majwega
Emmanuel Okwi Brian Umony
Kenya Team News:
Coach James Nandwa has no injury worries ahead of the game after declaring after yesterday’s training session that all the boys are fit and upbeat about the game. He is expected to play a defensive a game after declaring that he will field five defenders to neutralize pressure and attacks from the home side.
Duncan Ochieng is expected to start between the posts with skipper Anthony Kimani and Abbdallah Juma occupying the fullback slots.
David Owino and Joackins Atudo are expected at the heart of defence with another defender David Ochieng playing just in front of them.
Midfield maestro Humphrey Mieno and Benard Mangoli are expected to patrol the midfield with Edwin Lavasta and Clifton Miheso starting on the flanks leaving AFC Leopards striker Mike Barasa to lead the line on his own.
Probable X1 (4-1-4-1):
Duncan Ochieng (GK)
Abdallah Juma Joackins Atudo David Owino Anthony Kimani (CPT)
David Ochieng
Edwin Lavasta Humphrey Mieno Bernard Mangoli Clifton Miheso
Mike Barasa
PREDICTION:
Opening matches of any tournament are always difficult as they come with pressure and this is no different from the rest.
Kenya appears a formidable side ready to revenge for that 1-0 defeat in the finals of the 2008 edition but Uganda is at home with a formidable record at Namboole where their last loss came seven years ago. Besides, the Cranes have not lost a Cecafa opening game since 1985.
Though it appears a tight game, Uganda will edge it 2-1 in the end.
Uganda 2-1 Kenya
