KAMPALA - Burundi who have never won the regional Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup have said this is their time to prove a point that they are ready to win the trophy.

"We are more than determined to make our country proud this time. Burundians have never tested the joy of winning this trophy, but we the players are in the right state of mind to win the trophy this time,” said Claude Nahimana, their leading striker who has already netted three goals.

Nahimana thinks the cohesion and togetherness in the team has contributed to this feeling of carrying the trophy to Bujumbura .

"We beat Djibouti in the opening game and held one of the best sides Zambia to a draw. All we need to do is beat the defending champions today (Tuesday) to get our selves closer to the semi-finals first,” said Nahimana. His coach Gilbert Kanyenkore said any team that will think beating Burundi is an easy task will certainly be dreaming.

"We are playing good football and our morale is very high to lift this tournament,” said the coach.

Although Burundi are placed second on the table behind Chipolopolo of Zambia, a win against Sudan today (Tuesday) will take them top before Zambia play their last group game on Thursday against the defending champions Sudan. However, Sudan ’s coach Ahmed Babikir has also warned Burundi that his team will be out like wounded buffaloes.

"We know what is at stake and our draw against lowly placed Djibouti on Sunday has made us more than hungry tom prove a point that we are the defending champions,” said Babikir. Sudan beat Burundi 2-1 at the semi-final stage of the 2007 edition held in Tanzania .

Meanwhile, Cecafa Secretary General Nicholas Musonye has said inviting guest teams is one of the best ways that will improve the standards of the game in the region.

"Although some people think inviting guest teams is not a wise idea, we think it will only help our teams test them selves against tough opposition from other regions. We are even thinking of inviting West African teams in the near future,” said Musonye.

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