Zanzibar Heroes defender Nadir Haroub celebrates after his team scored during the 2012 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup. The veteran defender hopes that Zanzibar will fare impressively in this edition. PHOTO|FILE
What you need to know:
The Heroes landed in the Ethiopian capital on Thursday oozing with confidence of making a glorious participation at the regional showpiece, which was last held in 2013.
Dar es Salaam. The 2015 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup kicks off today with Zanzibar opening their campaign against Burundi at the Addis Ababa Stadium, Ethiopia.
The Heroes landed in the Ethiopian capital on Thursday oozing with confidence of making a glorious participation at the regional showpiece, which was last held in 2013.
The group B opener will start at noon with the Zanzibar Heroes facing a tall order to advance considering that they are pooled together with record champions Uganda and defending champions Kenya.
The day will also see hosts Ethiopia alias Walias take on Rwanda in a group A encounter, which will kick off in the evening.
Tanzania’s mainland side, Kilimanjaro Stars, will be on the sidelines today. They will have a relatively easy start to the tournament tomorrow when they clash with Somalia.
Speaking before linking up with the Heroes, stalwart defender Nadir Haroub voiced optimism of a sterling performance in this year.
“I think we have a better team this time around, so I am really looking forward to a decent participation,” said the Yanga central defender.
He added: “The team comprises a lot of players who play in the Mainland league, so expect a real battle in Addis Ababa.”
Some of the Heroes players plying their trade in the Mainland are Haji Mwinyi, Saidi Juma Makapu, Matheo Anthony, all turn for Yanga.
Others are Mudathir Yahya, Ame Ally, Aggrey Morris, Khamis Mcha Mwadini Ali Mwadini (Azam FC), Nassoro Masoud, Seleman Kassim (Stand United) and Awadh Juma (Simba SC).
They will face some familiar faces in the Burundi squad in Amisi Tambwe who plays for Yanga and Didier Kavumbagu (Azam FC).
Other players in the Burundi team are Karim Nizigiyimana, Cedric Amissi, Laudit Mavugo, Jeff Nzokira, Omar Biha, Mac Arthur Arakaza, Stephane Rugonumugabo, David Nshimirimana, Kiza Fataki, Nassor Niyonkuru, Issa Hakizimana and Pierre Kwizera.
The list also includes Fwadi Ndayisenga, Shassiri Nahimana, Yussuf Ndikumana, Pistis Barenge, Gaël Duhayindavyi and Christophe Nduwarugira.Meanwhile, Kenya had little rest after their elimination from the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, as they prepare for the defence of their title in Ethiopia tomorrow.
The Kenyans, who lost 2-1 to Cape Verde Islanders -- after their return leg match in Praia was hit by chaotic travel preparations -- are drawn to play high-flying Uganda in the opening match.
Under Bobby Williamson, Uganda won four Cecafa Challenge Cup titles, but the 54-year-old Scot has not managed to translate that success with Kenya since he took over as the national team coach in August 2014.
The Cecafa competition is Williamson’s fifth major tournament with the team this year after losses to Egypt and Botswana in the Rio Olympics and African under-23 qualifiers respectively, and also in the CHAN 2016 where they were eliminated by Ethiopia in the first round.
“We are disappointed that we had every chance to reach the group phase of the 2018 World Cup, but we are now looking forward to having a great run in the Cecafa championships as we prepare for Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches. It is what we can look for and hope to do better,” Williamson said.
