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**UPDATE** Match delayed as Sudan is reportedly held up at hotel over uncleared hotel bills
Thursday December 12, 2013
Kenya Vs Sudan – 4pm @ Nyayo stadium
The battle for the East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) regional championship comes to end on Thursday December 12, when hosts Kenya face Sudan in what promises to be a thrilling final match at Nyayo stadium, Nairobi.
The hosts who booked their spot in the finals after beating Tanzania 1-0 in the semi-finals will be search for their fifth Cecafa title while Sudan who eliminated much fancied Zambia with a 2-1 victory after extra time will be looking to win only their fourth championship.
ROAD TO FINALS:
KENYA SUDAN
Group A games: Group C games:
Kenya 0-0 Ethiopia Eritrea 0-3 Sudan
Kenya 3-1 South Sudan Sudan 1-0 Rwanda
Kenya 2-0 Zanzibar Uganda 1-0 Sudan
QUARTER FINALS: QUARTER FINALS:
Kenya 1-0 Burundi Sudan 2-0 Ethiopia
SEMI FINALS: SEMI-FINALS:
Kenya 1-0 Tanzania Sudan 2-1 Zambia (AET)
KENYA TEAM NEWS:
Coach Adel Amrouche is likely to be without striker Jacob Keli for a second consecutive game after the striker suffered a harm string injury in the quarter final win over Burundi. Keli missed the 1-0 semi-final win over Tanzania on Tuesday and remains a doubt for the final.
In case Keli fails to make it, Edwin Lavasta who impressed against Tanzania is expected to maintain his slot on the team. Likewise, Thika United midfielder Clifton Miheso- match winner against Kili Stars is also likely to be preferred head of Noah Wafula.
Besides, no changes are expected from the team that has started most of the games since commencement of the tournament.
Kenya Probable X1:
D. Ochieng (GK), J. Situma, A. Omar, J. Atudo, D. Owino, T. Akumu, P. Opiyo, F. Kahata, E. Lavasta, A. Wanga (c) and C. Miheso.
Man to Watch – JOCKINS ATUDO
The Azam FC defender has not only kept things tight at the back but also scored three goals in the tournament so far albeit all penalties. Against Sudan, he will be key in stopping leading scorer Salah Ibrahim (5 goals in 5 games) if Harambee Stars is to win this championship.
SUDAN TEAM NEWS:
Right full back Eltahir Elhag is doubtful after suffering a knock that forced him off against Zambia in the first half.
Besides, Coach Mubarak Suliman is expected to start Mohamed Abdelmonem in attack after the striker came off the bench to inspire a comeback against Chipolopolo by creating the winner with a brilliant pass from the outside of his boot.
Faris Abdallah and Mohammad Tahir will take up the creative roles as they try to feed lead striker Salah Ibrahim.
Sudan Probable X1:
Abdelrahman Ali (GK), Hamoda Bahir (Captain), Ismail Elsiddig, Elrayah Ali Maki, Amier Eltayeb, Nadir Eltayeb, Mohannand Tahir, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Eltahir Elhag, Faris Abdalla and Salah Ibrahim.
Man to Watch – SALAH INBRAHIM
Salah has scored in all but one game in the campaign and will aim at increasing his tally of five to clinch the golden boot. He has scored 62.5% of goals his side has scored and assisted 12.5% in the process. His performance on the day will be imperative for the Falcons of Jediane.
DID YOU KNOW?
-Kenya has the meanest defence in the tournament so far having conceded just one goal from a free kick versus South Sudan in their second group game while Sudan has let in just two.
–Sudan’s Ibrahim Salah leads the scoring charts with five goals while Kenya’s Jockins Atudo has three albeit all coming from penalties.
-Kenya has scored seven goals so far in the campaign while Sudan has scored a goal more.
-Kenya has won five Cecafa Challenge Cup trophies in 1975, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 2002 while Sudan has three titles won in 1980, 2006 and 2007 (Note: Sudan won the title in 2007 despite losing to Zambia but Cecafa rules bar visiting teams from taking trophy).
PREDICTION:
It’s a game between two tactically good sides worth being in the finals. I expect both sides to play cautiously throughout the game balancing between defence and attack.
At the end of the day, I see 90 minutes and perhaps extra time not deciding this game but penalties. At that point, it’s a lottery.
What is your prediction?