Wednesday August 20, 2014
Kagame Cup 2014 quarter final
Azam FC (Tanzania) Vs El Merriekh (Sudan) – 2.30pm (3.30pm UG Time)
Kigali Regional stadium, Nyamirambo
The battle for a place in the semi-finals of this year’s CECAFA Kagame Cup resumes Wednesday afternoon when giants Azam FC of Tanzania and El Merriekh of Sudan face off at the Kigali Regional stadium, Nyamirambo.
The two sides finished second in their respective groups with Vodacom premier league champions second in group A while El Merriekh earned a similar position in group C.
Azam opened the campaign with goalless draw against Rwanda’s Rayon Sport, then earned a 4-0 victory over Zanzibar’s KMKM which was followed by a 2-2 draw against South Sudan’s Atlabara FC before completing the group fixtures with a 4-1 victory over Adama City from Ethiopia to finish eight points just two behind group winners Rayon Sport.
Meanwhile, El Merriekh started off with a 1-0 loss against Rwanda’s Police FC before turning the tables against Somalia’s Benadir FC with a 4-0 win and then held champions Vital’O in a 1-1 draw to earn four points; five behind Police FC.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Azam FC have a number of quality players in their squad especially in attack as evidenced by the number of goals they have netted so far. The Bakhresa sponsored club has so netted 10 goals thanks to players; John Rafael Bocco (3) plus Didier Kavumbagu and Lionel Saint Preux who have bagged two each so far.
In Wilfred Bolou and Salum Abubaker, they boost one of the best central midfield personnel and if they click, El Merriekh will find it hard to go through.
El Merriekh FC will hope Mali import Mohammed Traore and ex-AFC Leopards striker Allan Wanga are in mood to trouble the Azam FC defence which has so far appeared the club’s weak link.
In midfield, skipper Mohammad El Basher and Egyptian import Ayman Said’s industry will be crucial while Jamal Salim in goal and Pascal Serge Wawa in defence must also be at their best.
Whoever comes out top in this game sets up a date with either Ugandan champions KCC FC or South Sudan’s Atlabara FC in the semis.