It has been a challenging start for Burundi in this year’s Orange Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup, with a tricky opening day fixture against Zanzibar at the Mumias Sports Complex. Then there was the acid test in their second game against the defending champions, the Uganda Cranes, in which they also flopped.
The Swallows just fell apart in their first match, crashing 4-0 to Zanzibar on Sunday. Then on Wednesday, their stuttering display ended with a 0-2 defeat to the Cranes.
What’s going on? Could be every Burundian’s question as they have become Group C’s whipping boys. While they were knocked out in the semis of the last edition in Uganda, their chances of survival here are nil.
“Our play hasn’t been the best in this year’s championship. We have lost matches we ought not to have lost,” said Burundi head coach, Amaas Nyiyongibo.
While their last group match today against Tanzania has no significance on their campaign, Nyiyongibo’s men want to save face and return home with at least one point. “Football is very interesting. Today you are up, tomorrow you are down. It’s like a see-saw,” said Nyiyongibo.
What’s going on? Could be every Burundian’s question as they have become Group C’s whipping boys. While they were knocked out in the semis of the last edition in Uganda, their chances of survival here are nil.
“Our play hasn’t been the best in this year’s championship. We have lost matches we ought not to have lost,” said Burundi head coach, Amaas Nyiyongibo.
While their last group match today against Tanzania has no significance on their campaign, Nyiyongibo’s men want to save face and return home with at least one point. “Football is very interesting. Today you are up, tomorrow you are down. It’s like a see-saw,” said Nyiyongibo.
Kilimanjaro Stars, on their part, had a good run in the last edition, but they also began this year’s campaign poorly. In their opening game, they lost 1-0 to the Cranes.
When they line up against Burundi today, coach Marcio Maximo’s charges will be going for nothing but victory. With the top two teams and two third-place finishers qualifying for the quarters, Kilimajaro Stars have everything to fight for.
Indisciplined defender
If Tanzania are to challenge Angola-bound Zambia or Uganda for the title, then they must win today.
Maximo is likely to parade the same starting 11 that swept past Zanzibar on Tuesday, though Stephano Mwasika could replace Juma Nyoso to partner Kelvin Yondani at the centre of defence.
The Yanga defender has played well, but it was his indiscipline on Tuesday that saw the day’s referee, Thomas Onyango, give him his marching orders. Maximo is anxious to add experience to his rearguard and may opt for Shadrack Nsajigwa to neutralise the powerful Fiston Nzomukunda and the pacy Fiston Razak Abdul.
Probable teams - Tanzania: Mohammed Muharani, Shadrack Nsajigwa, Juma Jabu, Kelvin Yondani, Salum Swed, Danny Mrwanda, Stephano Mwasika, John Bocco, Nurdin Bakari, Mwinyi Kazimoto, Mrisho Ngasa. Burundi: Claude Nahimana, Hassan Hakimana, Hussein Nzeyimana, Henry Mbazumutima, D’Amour Nkurunzinza, Abraham Sibomana, Cedric Amish, Didier Kavunbagu, Jaffari Jumapili, Fundi Ndayizenga, Fiston Razak.
Having erred on the side of caution against Cranes with a 4-5-1 formation, Maximo is likely to revert to his familiar 4-4-2 today. Despite being low on confidence, the Brazilian mastermind will remind his side of their excellent away form during the last edition in an attempt to boost a sense of belief into his side.
Burundi’s best hope of getting anything from this game is the pace of Didier Kavunbagu down the left flank and Fundi Ndayizenga through the middle.
Tanzania will also be anxious to turn in another good attacking performance. Despite losing 2-1 to Kenya in the semifinals played in Uganda, they have struggled at times to creative enough goal scoring opportunities. Mrisho Ngasa and Danny Mrwanda are always a threat, but if the ball is not given to the front pairing earlier enough they will be shut out by the average Burundi rearguard
When they line up against Burundi today, coach Marcio Maximo’s charges will be going for nothing but victory. With the top two teams and two third-place finishers qualifying for the quarters, Kilimajaro Stars have everything to fight for.
Indisciplined defender
If Tanzania are to challenge Angola-bound Zambia or Uganda for the title, then they must win today.
Maximo is likely to parade the same starting 11 that swept past Zanzibar on Tuesday, though Stephano Mwasika could replace Juma Nyoso to partner Kelvin Yondani at the centre of defence.
The Yanga defender has played well, but it was his indiscipline on Tuesday that saw the day’s referee, Thomas Onyango, give him his marching orders. Maximo is anxious to add experience to his rearguard and may opt for Shadrack Nsajigwa to neutralise the powerful Fiston Nzomukunda and the pacy Fiston Razak Abdul.
Probable teams - Tanzania: Mohammed Muharani, Shadrack Nsajigwa, Juma Jabu, Kelvin Yondani, Salum Swed, Danny Mrwanda, Stephano Mwasika, John Bocco, Nurdin Bakari, Mwinyi Kazimoto, Mrisho Ngasa. Burundi: Claude Nahimana, Hassan Hakimana, Hussein Nzeyimana, Henry Mbazumutima, D’Amour Nkurunzinza, Abraham Sibomana, Cedric Amish, Didier Kavunbagu, Jaffari Jumapili, Fundi Ndayizenga, Fiston Razak.
Having erred on the side of caution against Cranes with a 4-5-1 formation, Maximo is likely to revert to his familiar 4-4-2 today. Despite being low on confidence, the Brazilian mastermind will remind his side of their excellent away form during the last edition in an attempt to boost a sense of belief into his side.
Burundi’s best hope of getting anything from this game is the pace of Didier Kavunbagu down the left flank and Fundi Ndayizenga through the middle.
Tanzania will also be anxious to turn in another good attacking performance. Despite losing 2-1 to Kenya in the semifinals played in Uganda, they have struggled at times to creative enough goal scoring opportunities. Mrisho Ngasa and Danny Mrwanda are always a threat, but if the ball is not given to the front pairing earlier enough they will be shut out by the average Burundi rearguard
No comments:
Post a Comment