Coach Hamuza Lutalo has cautioned his players to prepare to endure any challenge from Zanzibar as they face in the final of the CECAFA U-15 Championship on Thursday at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru in Buikwe district.
“We’ve worked tirelessly to improve as a team,” Lutalo remarked.
“Every match demands a unique approach, and I’m confident we’ll handle it with the utmost care. We’ll strive to live up to expectations. The players’ morale is high, and they’ve demonstrated their readiness.”
The defending champions defeated Tanzania 2-1 in the first semi-final to advance to the final, while Zanzibar edged South Sudan 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the second semi-final encounter.
Despite recognizing the challenge of facing the home team, Zanzibar coach Mohamed Mrishona Mohamed is confident in his team’s preparations.
“We’ve proven our worth by reaching this stage. We know it won’t be easy to face the home team, but we’ll give our all,” Mrishona stated.
Uganda beat Kenya 4-0 to win the first edition in 2019 in Asmara,Eritrea.
This year’s edition Kenya notified CECAFA that they will not be able to send a team for the Championship just like Sudan, Burundi and Eritrea who also are unable to enter teams.
The tournament this year attracted Uganda, Zanzibar, Rwanda, Tanzania, Somalia, South Sudan, Djibouti and Ethiopia.
CECAFA U15 Championship Fixtures, Thursday
Third place playoff, at 12pm
- Tanzania v South Sudan
Final, at 3:30pm
- Uganda v Zanzibar
Courtesy Photos
