Kenya Police, Butali Sugar Warriors eye all-Kenyan-final
Calvins Kanu of Kenya Police (left) vies for the ball with Ahmed Amr of Eastern Company during their Africa Cup of Club Championship match at City Park Stadium on January 10, 2017. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |
What you need to know:
- Kenyan sides Butali Sugar Warriors and Kenya Police will be targeting a local final as they play their respective men’s semi-finals matches on Saturday evening at the ongoing Africa Cup of Club Championship at City Park Stadium.
- Butali take on defending champions Eastern Company of Egypt at 5.15pm in the first semi, before Police tackle Ghana Police at 7.30pm. The home sides avoided each after both finished second in their respective pools.
- Such was the high level of competition in the preliminary stages, that all four semi-finalists had to be decided by goal difference and goals scored after the top three teams in the two pools finished with same number of points.
Kenyan sides Butali Sugar Warriors and Kenya Police will be targeting a local final as they play their respective men’s semi-finals matches on Saturday evening at the ongoing Africa Cup of Club Championship at City Park Stadium.
Butali take on defending champions Eastern Company of Egypt at 5.15pm in the first semi, before Police tackle Ghana Police at 7.30pm. The home sides avoided each after both finished second in their respective pools.
Such was the high level of competition in the preliminary stages, that all four semi-finalists had to be decided by goal difference and goals scored after the top three teams in the two pools finished with same number of points.
The high level of the competition also claimed the scalp of 23-times record winners Sharkia, who failed to reach the semis. It will be the first time in 26 years that the Egyptian club will not be in the final. Butali will need to be at their best to overcome Eastern, who will be aiming to reach their second successive final.
The Kisumu-based have struggled to impress so far but will be banking on home advantage to reach their first final. They can also take solace in Eastern’s 2-1 loss to Kenya Police in their pool encounter. Butali stand-in coach Meshack Senge wants his charges to go for early goals and also disrupt their opponents’ style of play.
“Egyptians are known to be good dribblers and lethal in short corners. If we can ensure they don’t enjoy these two aspects and also convert our chances, we can advance,” Senge told Saturday Nation Sport.
Tonny Nyukuri who got injured in the match against Ghana Police is a doubt for the two-time league champions. Emmanuel Simyu and Frank Wanangwe will start upfront for Butali with Zack Aura playing behind them.
The second semi-final will see Kenya Police face a second Ghanaian team at the competition having played Exchequers in their final pool match. The law enforcers, who are also eyeing their maiden crown can expect a fast-paced tie.
“We will have to watch their pace and avoid any lapses in defence because the game might just be decided by one chance,” Police skipper Brian Saina said.
International George Mutira alongside Moses Cheplaiti will be charged with getting the goals for the hosts.
FIXTURES
Men’s semi-finals
Butali v Eastern – 5.15pm, Ghana Police v Kenya Police – 7.30pm
