Allan Wanga’s El Merreikh, favourites APR fight for Cecafa title

Allan Wanga (centre) in action for El Merreikh. FILE PHOTO |

What you need to know:

  • The Rwandan side have been the bookmakers favourites.
  • Expectations are high in the El Merreikh camp that they can disarm the soldiers in their own back yard.

KIGALI

Home club APR and Sudanese giants El Merreikh will clash for the Cecafa Kagame Cup title when the final is held on Sunday at the 30,000-seater Amaharo Stadium.

Also at stake is the Sh2.5 million prize for the winner.

The Rwandan side have been the bookmakers favourites and playing at home, in front of their adoring fans, gives them the push and motivation to finish the job against Sudan’s Red Devils.

APR’s path to the finals has been short of perfect losing their final group game to KCCA of Uganda and earlier drawing 2-2 draw with a disappointing Gor Mahia of Kenya.

El Merreikh’s path has not been perfect either.

They finished runners up in Group C behind impressive Police of Rwanda, who beat them 1-0. The gods seemed to be with them when they came out on top in quarter-final and semi-final duels that were decided by penalties and are now just a match away from claiming their third regional title.

Expectations are high in their camp that they can disarm the soldiers in their own back yard.

“To qualify for the final is an immense feeling. It gives us the motivation,” El Merreikh coach Yousief Burhaneldin said.

“The competition has been very tough and you could see the competitiveness in every match. We will prepare and give our best in the final,” he said.

Yousief is upbeat his boys, who include Kenya’s ace striker Allan Wanga, will rise to the occasion and take the trophy back to Khartoum.

Against KCCA, the Red Devils exhibited a lot of coherence at the back and Serge Pascal ability to organize his defense will be crucial.