Thursday, 6th December
Mandela National Stadium, Namboole – 7.00pm Live on SS9 East
Uganda’s quest for the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup title defence resumes on Thursday when they take on rivals Tanzania in the second of the day’s semi-finals at Mandela national stadium, Namboole.
The two sides will be meeting at this stage in the competition for the third time in a row after meeting in 2010 and 2011. Uganda won the encounter 3-2 last year while Tanzania won the 2010 tie 5-4 on penalties.
To reach this stage, Uganda eliminated Ethiopia 2-0 in the quarter finals on Tuesday at Namboole while Tanzania beat Rwanda by the same score on Monday in a game played at Lugogo.
UGANDA CRANES TEAM NEWS:
Hamza Muwonge is expected to maintain his berth in goal plus Bobby Williamson is expected to make no changes in the back four that has not conceded a goal in the tournament so far with Denis Guma and Godfrey Walusimbi manning the right and left full backs respectively while Isaac Isinde and Henry Kalungi will continue at the heart of defence.
Skipper Hassan Wasswa, Geoffrey Kizito Baba and Moses Oloya are expected to maintain their role as the midfield trio.
Up front, Hamis Kiiza and Robert Ssentongo who has impressed in his last two starts in the competition are expected to maintain their roles. The duo is most likely to be joined by Tanzania based striker Emmanuel Okwi in case Brian Umony who was stretchered off the pitch in the 2-0 win over Ethiopia in the previous game fails to pass a late fitness test.
Probable X1 (4:3:3)
Hamza Muwonge (GK)
Denis Guma Isaac Isinde Henry Kalungi Godfrey Walusimbi
Moses Oloya Hassan Wasswa (CPT) Geoffrey Kizito
Hamis Diego Kiiza Robert Ssentongo Emmanuel Okwi
MAN TO WATCH:
Hamis Kiiza will be facing familiar opponents as he plies his trade in Tanzania with Yanga FC and is expected to be the man to lead the dismantling of Taifa Stars given his knowledge of their game.
TAIFA STARS TEAM NEWS:
Coach Kim Poulsen is expected to make no changes in the team that started against Rwanda in the quarter finals. Captain Juma Kasejja is expected to start in goal with Erasto Edward Nyoni, Shomari Kapombe, Kevin Yodan and Maftah Amir Mrisho completing the back four.
Domayo Raymond, Salum Abubaker and Mwinyi Kazimoto who received the coach’s praise for his performance against Rwanda are expected in the middle of the pack.
In the attacking third, John Rapahel Bocco who limped off in the closing stages of the Rwanda tie is declared fit and will lead the line with Alfan Mrisho Ngassa and Amir Kiemba who netted the opener in the quarters completing the trio in Poulsen’s favoured 4-3-3 system.
Probable X1:
Juma Kasejja (GK)
Edward Erasto Nyoni Maftah Amir Mrisho Kevin Yodan Shomari Kapombe
Raymond Domayo Salum Abubaker Mwinyi Kazimoto
Mrisho Ngassa John Raphael Bocco Amir Kiemba
Man to watch:
John Raphael Bocco has proved to be the tournament’s most lethal striker netting five goals in four games. He is a goal poacher who must be keenly watched by the Cranes central defenders.
DID YOU KNOW THIS?
– Uganda has won 12 Cecafa titles (1973, 1976, 1977, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2008, 2009 and 2011) while Tanzania has won three (1974, 1994 and 2010).
– Ugandan strikers Emmanuel Okwi and Hamis Kiiza ply their trade with Simba and Yanga respectively in Tanzania
– Uganda Cranes has the meanest defence in the competition with no goals conceded so far while Tanzania have the sharpest attack boosting of 11 goals.
PREDICTION:
This will be Uganda’s biggest test since day one. Tanzania is proving to be the most improved team in the region if we are to consider their performance in this tournament but Uganda Cranes is never afraid of facing even the best teams at Namboole.
Too close to call indeed but Uganda will edge it with a slim score line
UGANDA 1-0 TANZANIA
What is your prediction?
You can follow the live scores of this match by always refreshing our CECAFA 2012 live update page
