Cecafa Final: Cranes gunning to extend record

Today3rd-Play-offTanzania vs Zanzibar 2pm FinalUganda vs Kenya 5pm Uganda Cranes is one step away from winning a record-extending 13th Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup title when they take on regional archrivals Kenya’s Harambee Stars in the final of this 2012 edition on Saturday at Namboole stadium in Kampala.The Cranes flew flawlessly into today’s final after thrashing Amavubi Stars quarterfinal conquerors, the Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro Stars 3-0 courtesy of goals by Emmanuel Okwi and a double from Robert Ssentongo.Kenya defeated Zanzibar 4-2 in penalties to qualify for the final after the match had ended 2-2 in regulations time, with Kenya twice coming from behind to cancel the Zanzibar Heroes lead in Thursday’s semi-final.With tournament hosts and favourites, Uganda yet to concede a single goal, their Scottish coach Bobby Williamson expects his team to maintain their clinical finish and water-tight defence against Kenya. The Harambee Stars has lost only one match, the opening Group A game against today’s opponents, and Coach James Nandwa is optimistic his team can surprise the hosts to win the sixth regional title for East Africa’s biggest economy.bonnie.mugabe@newtimes.co.rwToday’s decider will be a repeat of the 2008 final when Uganda beat their arch rivals 1-0 at the same venue, but as recent as 2011, Kenya held Uganda 0-0 tod deny the host a chance to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, which was co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.The final, which is widely tipped to attract the biggest attendance since the tournament started two weeks ago today, will be preceded by the battled for third place between sister countries Tanzania and Zanzibar.Cecafa through their sponsor Tusker has staked $30,000, $20,000 and $10,000 prize money for the winner, first and second runner-up as well as a yet to be known award for the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.The race for the accolade will be between the three top scorers of the tournament namely; Mrisho Alfan Ngassa [5 goals], John Raphael Bocco [5 goals] and Robert Ssentongo [3 goals]

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Cecafa Final: Cranes gunning to extend record