Rwanda’s Amavubi Stars will be in for a tough task when they face Cecafa Senior Challenge defending champions Kenya in the quarter-final of the 2015 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup today in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The memories of the 2013 edition when hosts Kenya eliminated Rwanda at the same stage, are still vivid when the two renew rivalry at the National Stadium in Addis in what is expected to be a ding dong battle just days after Kenya suffered a humiliating 3-1 loss to Zanzibar who had lost both their opening group matches.
Amavubi skipper Haruna Niyonzima believes they can beat Kenya to book a place in the semi-finals, “Certainly we don’t take anyone for granted, but neither are we intimidated by anyone. We may be wary of an opponent or two but they too may be worried about us.”
The playmaker says it is time for the Amavubi Stars to register a decent result against Kenya.
“After losing to Tanzania, we put our act together, and got the win we wanted against Somalia to secure a place in the quarter-finals. Kenya are a better team (than Somalia) but we shall try our best to play and win the game,” Niyonzima, 28, told soka25east.com
He added, “Our target is to get a result and make it to the semi-finals. Kenya has a strong squad and I think the competition starts at this stage, but we have to be confident in our ability.”
On his part Kenya’s skipper David Ochieng Cheche was upbeat and adamant Harambee Stars would give their best in any situation “first its important to note that Harambee Stars players are solidly behind coach Bobby Williamson contrary to media reports that we are against him.We are prepared as a unit and we belive though Rwanda is a very good side we have to work extremely hard and qualify for the semi finals to give our fans back home something to cheer about”Ochieng told soka25east.com
Amavubi will come into the Tuesday clash as favorites going by their record in the past three matches, where they won two against host Ethiopia 0-1, Somalia 2-0 and lost to Tanzania 2-1.
Seven players on the current Amavubi team were on the squad lost to Kenya two years ago. They include goalkeepers Jean Claude Ndoli and Eric Ndayishimiye, central back Emery Bayisenge, midfielder Niyonzima and Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza as well as forward Jacques Tuyisenge and Jean Claude Iranzi.
They will be facing familiar faces from the Kenyan side including; strikers Allan Wanga and Jacob Keli, defenders David Owino and David Ochieng, winger Clifton Miheso and midfielder Teddy Akumu.
Tuyisenge has since matured in John McKinstry’s side and is currently leading the top scorers chat with three goals, and so is Jacob Keli on the Bobby Williamson’s team – the Nkana FC forward has netted twice.
Amavubi will also have to deal with the threat of prolific striker Michael Olunga, who has two goals to his credit – the mercurial goal poacher can not only score but also create chances for others.
Harambee Stars of Kenya on the other hand won just one game against Uganda 2-0 before drawing 1-1 with Burundi and losing 3-1 to Zanzibar.
A win for Rwanda will book them a date with the winners between South Sudan and Sudan, who meet in today’s other semi final.
