Today

Sudan v Rwanda  2pm

Third place

Uganda v Burundi  11.30pm  

Last year’s finalists Sudan face Rwanda in the final of the GTV sponsored Cecafa Cup Championship today afternoon at the national stadium of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Both teams will not only be fighting for the Cecafa title but also for the prize money worth $ 30000 (Frw. 16.7 million) for the winning team.

The two countries are both one-time winners of the 81-year -old competition and that should make today’s finals an eye-catching affair as each side searches for a second title.

Sudan last won the Cecafa Cup title during the 1980 edition and lost to Zambia 0-1 in last year’s edition which was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Rwanda won the title during the 1999 edition that was staged in Kigali, on that occasion the hosts fielded two teams; Rwanda A and B where the later emerged the winner after defeating Kenya 3-1 in the final.

However, predictions from both head coaches of the two teams are all based on 50-50. Sudan’s coach Tagel Abbas told Times Sport yesterday during his team’s morning training session that he expects a battle with Rwanda as he is eyeing a the regional title for the first time in charge.

"We have played better right from the group stages and my team has been unbeaten in all the fixtures that we have played but tomorrow’s (today) is a 50-50 game.

"Rwanda team players never lose concentration, a feat which helped them to defeat Uganda Cranes yesterday (Thursday),” he noted.

Adding that, "So we have to let our players display the kind of football they have played from the first game.” The Sudanese coach is expected to go with his preferred 3-5-2 formation against Josip Kuze’ 4-4-2.

Amavubi Stars head coach Kuze is in an upbeat mood and believes his team, after seeing off Uganda in extra time, will be all out for a win in normal time.

"We are ready for what Sudan has for us and we can not to let the title slip out of our hands. All my players are fit and I am confident about our chances of winning this competition.

"It is only our concentration and confidence that has made us reach where we,” Kuze said yesterday.

The Croat is expected to make one change from the team that started against Uganda Cranes in the semi-final on Thursday.

Roger Tuyisenge whose deflected cross deep in extra time earned Rwanda a deserved victory on Thursday will be rewarded with a place in the starting team on the right wing with Haruna Niyonzima shifting to the left and Jean Baptista Mugiraneza starting on the bench.

The finals will be preceded by the third place play-offs when Burundi takes on Uganda. Burundi lost 1-2 to Sudan in the semi-final.

GTV, the main sponsors of this year’s regional challenge cup have staked $30000, $20000 and $10000 for the winner, first and second runners up respectively.
 
Previous winners

1973- Uganda
1974- Tanzania
1975- Kenya
1976- Uganda
1977- Uganda
1978- Malawi
1979- Malawi
1980- Sudan
1981- Kenya
1982- Kenya
1983- Kenya
1984- Zambia
1985- Zimbabwe
1986- Not held
1987- Ethiopia
1988- Malawi
1989- Uganda
1990- Uganda
1991- Zambia
1992- Uganda
1993- Not held
1994- Tanzania
1995- Zanzibar
1996- Uganda
1997- Not held
1998- Not held due to ban
1999- Rwanda B
2000- Uganda
2001- Ethiopia
2002- Kenya
2003- Uganda
2004- Ethiopia
2005- Ethiopia
2006- Zambia
2007- ?

Ends