Kampala — Uganda's U-20 side, Hippos will battle hosts Eritrea in today's Cecafa U-20 Championship final hoping to retain the trophy they won in Bujumbura two years ago.

Today's final will be preceded with the third place play off match between Rwanda and Kenya. The Hippos had to deal with a stubborn Kenya side on Thursday evening to guarantee their place in the final.

Hippos' tactician Frank "Video" Anyau was a relieved man after the semifinal clash with Kenya, acknowledging that it will not be easy playing against the home side in the final. "It will be tough. Games involving the home side have had huge and intimidating crowds," Anyau said.

However, Anyau said if his charges remain focused, they have the potential to finish off the Eritrea team. "We have watched them play and they are not any different from the sides we have faced," he said.

The coach added that the Express FC forward Daniel Sserunkuma and Nalubaale's Patrick Edema will shoulder the team's goal scoring burden. "They tend to play well when deployed together and hopefully they will when we need them the most tomorrow (today)," he said. The coach also said that unless otherwise, he would not tamper with the team that started against Kenya.

Mike Mutyaba and Sula Matovu are expected to start at the flanks strengthening the midfield that will have Crizestrom Ntambi and Kizito Luwaga. The winner today will smile away with $18,000 (Shs36m)

Uganda: G. Buule, A. Kisalita, D. Guma, I. Bukenya, A.Kakuba, I. J. Sadam, M. Mutyaba, K. Luwaga, P. Edema, S. Matovu, C. Ntambi

Eritrea: S. A. Butsuamalik, A. T. Abraha, F. Tsegay Mehari, Y. N. Zeregaber, I. Petros, M. Reddie, I. Adem, Y. Tilahun, M. Hebteslus, K.Abdemariam , Y. S.Melake

Today

Third place play off

Rwanda v Kenya (1pm)

Final

Eritrea v Uganda (3pm)