Ahead of the semi-final clash against Zanzibar, Uganda Cranes coach Moses Basena says they have a duty to defend their title.
The Cranes won the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in Ethiopia two years ago and have a small matter of Zanzibar to sort out before confirming a place in the final.
Asked about the readiness of the side, Basena said no team reaches the last four without preparations.
“Of course you can’t come into the semi-finals when you are not prepared,” he told the Press after the team’s last training in Kisumu. “We have prepared enough and we will give the best of ourselves,” he added.
As defending champions, we have task to defend our title but am pleading to my players to be responsible of what we are going to be doing.
We are carrying the hopes of Ugandans and they are very demanding.
The Cranes will miss the services of Timothy Awany and Isaac Muleme who were sent off against Ethiopia in the last group game.
Shafik Bakaki and Aggrey Madoi are expected to make their first starts at the competition.
