Football
Kenyan lads go for the jugular
Kenyan captain Innocent Mutiso prepares to make his call during the toss of the coin by referee Mohammed el Fadir of Sudan before their match against Eritrea on Monday at the Cecafa Under-20 Championship in Asmara. Eritrea beat Kenya 1-0. Kenya play title holders Uganda in the semi-final on Thursday. Photo/MOHAMMED AMIN
Posted Wednesday, August 25 2010 at 18:48
Kenya meet defending champions Uganda on Thursday in the second semi-final of the Cecafa Under-20 Championship at the Asmara Stadium.
It will be a severe test for the Kenyan team because the unbeaten Ugandans were regarded, from the beginning of the tournament, as the clear favourites while many hoped, for a thrilling final, their most deserving opponents should have been Kenya.
But Kenya slumped to a 0-1 defeat to hosts Eritrea in the last Group “A” match on Monday, the Eritreans earning the top qualifying slot and “an easier” semi-final (due Wednesday afternoon) against Rwanda who are fielding an Under-17s development side.
Due to heavy rains, conditions were terrible in the Kenya vs Eritrea match. The flooding on the artificial pitch rendered the ball completely immobile on the floor.
The Kenyans were unable to employ their usual passing game. Rain has been coinciding with the 4pm kick-offs and if that is repeated on Thursday, it most definitely will be a toss-up over who will emerge victorious. “It is unfortunate that the weather has affected the tournament at this stage.
There was splendid play in the preliminaries, we just hope the rain will hold for these semis and final,” said Cecafa secretary general, Nicholas Musonye. If the weather holds, it will be an epic clash of teams with contrasting styles.
Uganda have their traditional reliance on speedy attacks from the flanks while Vince Ombiji’s side has shown a good tactical approach based on ball possession and inter-passing wide, back and forth.
The Kenyan coach was optimistic that his boys will contest the final on Saturday. He said after the loss to Eritrea on Monday. “Conditions were impossible for football. But even though Eritrea beat us, we shall beat them in the final.”
Kenya’s likely starters: 18. Caleb Otieno Adola (KCB): 16. Cyrus Shitote (Sony Sugar), 12. Milton Milimo (AFC Leopards), 6. Anthony Akumu (Gor Mahia), 5. Musa Mohammed (Gor Mahia), 10. Victor Majid (Sony Sugar), 8. Paul Were (Tusker), 7. Edwin Mwaura (Posta Rangers), 4. Raphael Muigai (KCB), 9. Jacob Keli (Mathare United), 11. Innocent Mutiso, captain (Mathare United).
Reserves: 1. Musa Hamisi Mohammed (Congo United), Gk, 17. Duncan Owiti (Gor Mahia), 13. Ali Mwijuma (United Sparki), 3. Elly Asieche Sekah (Bidco), 14. Moses Arita (Thika United), 15. Abdimalik Mohammed (Gor Mahia), 2. Charles Odette Bala (Mahakama).
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