Cecafa Cup fixtures

Group A
Uganda, Tanzania,
Rwanda, Zanzibar and Somalia

Group B
Sudan, Kenya, Zambia, Burundi and Djibouti

December 31
Zambia   v  Djibouti
Sudan     v  Kenya

January 1, 2009
Zanzibar  v  Somalia
Uganda   v   Rwanda

IF Amavubi Stars are to break Uganda Cranes’ defence, then Coach Tucak Branko must improvise a new striking strategy.

Sunday’s trial game between two Amavubi select sides showed that Rwanda still lacks sharp strikers.

Kibuye’s Papy Nkunda who partnered Mabula Akiri with Bokota Labama playing behind the pair scored the lone goal of the game.

On the other side, the striking pair of Jean Lomami and Bosco Gasana failed to score. The Croat was forced to partner Lomami with Bokota but the move still failed to pay off.

With Saidi Abedi Makasi away, Branko is expected to stick with the likes of Lomami, Nkunda and Bokota during the regional tournament which kicks off next week.

Branko is however expected to have a selection dilemma in the team’s midfield and defense. It is said that there has been notable improvement in the midfield and defence and that the Croat will need an extra eye in selecting the starting players.

During last year’s Cecafa edition in Tanzania, Rwanda under former coach Kuze reached the finals only to lose to Sudan 4-2 on penalties after full time had ended in a fascinating 2-2 draw.

This year, Rwanda has been drawn in Group A alongside Tanzania, Zanzibar and Somalia.

The tournament gets underway with a Group B game between Zambia and Djibouti on December 31 at Bugembe Stadium, Jinja.

This group also has defending champions Sudan, Kenya and Burundi.

Ends