Charles Nyende
19 December 2007
Dar Es Salaam — Burundi meets Sudan in the first Cecafa Senior Challenge cup semi-finals from 3pm at the National Stadium, Dar es Salaam and without intending for this to sound like one of those tired clichés, it is only in Africa that circumstances surrounding their qualifications happen.
Before Burundi met Eritrea in the quarter-finals on Monday, word spread that they would be without five of their regular players who had fallen sick to Africa's number one killer disease, Malaria.
Indeed, when the match sheet was released, the likes of their lead striker and captain Ndukimana Seleiman, Irambona Abdalla and Nazigiwimana Karim were not even on the list of substitutes.
Plundered two goals
That, admittedly, severely weakened Burundians but they went on to beat Eritrea 2-1 to making it to the semi-finals.
Sudan, who had been based in Arusha for the group stages, had quietly arrived in Dar es Salaam on the eve of their quarter-final clash with hosts Tanzania.
The squad, journalists were told, was basically an Olympic Games side. What was not mentioned was that their striker Abdelhamid Amarria was also a key member of the team that qualified for next year's African Nations Cup.
By the time people, and in particular Tanzania had wised up to this deadly fact, Amarria had already plundered two goals in their 2-1 victory to lead Sudan to the semi-finals.
Sudan coach Tagel Abbas said they had not even had time to train or adjust from the cooler Arusha weather to the boiler room Dar environment.
Played good football
But the 2-1 victory against Tanzania firmly plants Sudan as the likely candidates to win the Challenge Cup, or rather, retain it.
They lost to guest team Zambia 10-11 on post matches penalties in 2006 but were awarded the title as the Cecafa member.
"Yes, I think we are now the favourites to win," their coach admitted as much. Burundi will want to have a say in that.
The tiny country has played some good football, particularly in the group stages, and if they overcame the Malaria set back and assemble a full strength side, beating Sudan will be very much within their ability.
Seleman is their key player, Aime Nzohabonayo is a proven goal scorer while no non-sense defender Hussein Ndizeyimana has been a stand out.
Sudan eliminated Burundi 1-0 in the quarter-finals of last year's tournament held in Ethiopia.
Vengeance could very well be on the Burundians mind as they battle this year's most successful Cecafa playing nation.
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