Despite losing 4-0 to Zanzibar in their Group C opening game, Burundi coach Amaarsi Niyongabo is confident his charges can turn tables when they clash with the defending champions Uganda at the Mumias Sports Complex this evening.

Uganda will however come into today's game as firm favourites over their opponents after thrashing them 5-0 in the semifinals of last years championship in Kampala. The Cranes went on to win the title beating Kenya's Harambe stars 1-0 at Namboole.

Niyongabo told Daily Monitor that they can't risk bowing out in the early stages of the regional championships adding that his charges have since recovered from the Zanzibar shock.

"I respect Uganda, but in this case we have to win or we are out. The players have promised to die a little to get a result from the Cranes," Ninyongabo told Daily Monitor at the teams training ground at the Kakamega High School.

The Burundians, whose football has been on a steady rise, risk an early exit if they don't pick maximum points, but Cranes coach Bobby Williamson is not moved by his counterpart's comments as he says his target is to win all the six matches enroute to the title.

"We respect all the teams in the tournament and that's why we shall come out and play our game. Iam sure the best team will win," said Bobby.

Stephen Bengo and Peter Ssenyonjo might give way to Mike Sserumaga and Emma Okwi respectively as Bobby looks forward to identifying his super eleven players who will engage the knockout stages in Nairobi.

Uganda winds up her group stage matches on Saturday against Zanzibar.

Meanwhile, Tanzania stopped Zanzibar 1-0 in tough Group C game played in Mumias last evening, In Nairobi, Eritrea surprsingly held Zimbabwe to a barren draw.

Eritrea 0 Zimbabwe 0

Zanzibar 0 Tanzania 1

Today

Burundi v Uganda

Djibouti v Kenya

Ethiopia v Zambia