James Bakama, Charles Okalebo and Bruno Mugooda
5 January 2009
Jinja — AFTER slipping twice, Kenya and Sudan have to win at all costs today if they are to remain in contention for one of the two Group B semi-final slots.
The two sides have so far failed to justify their pedigree as CECAFA giants in a group where scant respect has so far been shown for the heavyweights.
Harambee Stars versus Djibouti would ordinarily pass for a no contest but that might not be the case if the last Kyabazinga stadium results at Bugembe are anything to go by.
Perennial punch bags Djibouti resurrected on Sunday holding champions Sudan in what is so far the group's biggest surprise.
But Kenya, who like group rivals Sudan and Zambia have advanced to the next round of the 2010 World Cup/Nations Cup, are confident they have what it takes to rise to the occasion in the less competitive tournament.
"We are still in contention. We shall definitely be in Kampala for the semi-finals," vowed Harambee Stars team manager Peter Serry.
But Serry's confidence has so far not been commensurate with what has been happening on the pitch.
The well-built Kenyans have exhibited good build-ups but lacked that crucial killer punch.
Not even the teams' immense aerial superiority propped big guns like towering Joseph Shikokoti has so far been exploited.
The day's second encounter is a must watch. While champions Sudan will be out to avoid the embarrassment of being kicked out in the preliminaries, Burundi are still well in contention.
At the same time, the last group matches - Sudan v Zambia and Burundi v Kenya on Friday have been moved from Kyabzainga stadium to Nakivubo.
CECAFA officials made the change yesterday. This was after teams complained about state of the Jinja pitch.
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