Cecafa Tusker Challenge Cup

Yesterday
Group C
Sudan 1-1 Ethiopia
Kenya 0-2 Malawi

Group B
Uganda 4-0 Somalia

Today (Group A)
Rwanda vs Zimbabwe
Tanzania vs Djibouti

AMAVUBI coach Milutin Micho has challenged his team to seal their slot in the quarter-final of the Cecafa Tusker Challenge Cup with victory over Zimbabwe this afternoon. The two sides face-off this afternoon in the first of two Group A games. The other tie pits reigning champions Tanzania against Djibouti.

It is not the first time the two teams are meeting in the tournament. In 2009, Rwanda registered back to back wins over the Warriors. The first was a 1-0 win at the group stage followed by a more comprehensive 4-1 victory in the semi-finals.

But Micho does not want to dwell so much into those results insisting that this is a new challenge. "It would be suicidal to relax because of the 2009 results. We have to make it as difficult as possible for them,” the Serbian said.

"We need to be consistent because to be a champion in such tournaments, you need to get consistent results.”

With Frederic Ndaka set to miss the tie because of a toe injury, Jean Claude Iranzi is the likely candidate to step up from the bench.

In the build-up to the game, Zimbabwe coach Norman Mapeza said that he expects an exciting contest.

"The game will be exciting for all football fans because both sides play attacking football. From what I have seen, the players love to express themselves,” he added.

In the other game, Tanzania will look to bounce back after a dreadful start. The Kilimanjaro Stars’ title defense was pegged back after a 1-0 defeat in their opening Group A match.

Yesterday, Malawi climbed to the top of Group C after a 2-0 victory over Kenya while Sudan and Ethiopia played out a 1-all draw.

At Azam stadium, ten-man Uganda Cranes trounced Somalia 4-0 with Emmanuel Okwi scoring a hat trick while Robert Ssentongo scoring the other goal.

The result moved Uganda to the top of Group B with six points. Burundi is second with four points.

Probable line-ups:

Rwanda: Jean Claude Ndoli, Albert Ngabo, Jean Claude Iranzi, Eric Gasana, Ismail Nshutiyamagara, Jean Baptista Mugiraneza, Andrew Buteera, Charles Tibingana, Haruna Niyonzima, Meddie Kagere and Olivier Karekezi (C).

Zimbabwe: George Chigova, Daniel Veremu (C), Qadr Amini, Jam James, Rahman Kutsanzira, Eric Mudzingwa, Tapiwa Khumbuyani, Mavura Timire, Charles Sibanda, Donald Ngoma, Joel Ngodzo.

Ends