Defending champions Uganda will battle it out with Group B runners-up Zanzibar while hosts Kenya face the tournament’s underdogs Burundi for a place in the final of the 2017 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup.
Uganda v/s Zanzibar.
Uganda who progressed as Group B leaders with 5 points will have to go past Group A surprise package Zanzibar who finished as runners-up with 7 points.
This is going to be a tricky match for the Cranes if current form is anything to go by. Uganda has struggled to score in the group stages progressing with only four points from three matches whereas Zanzibar gave all its opponents a run for their money, managing an impressive 7 points from four games in a group that had hard hitters; Libya, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Head to Head encounters.
Zanzibar and Uganda have met a massive fourteen times in all competitions with Uganda winning 12, drawing once and only losing a single game.
In the CECAFA competition alone, the two sides have faced-off eleven times which have all been won by the Cranes. Zanzibar will be looking for a win against Uganda and if they continue with their current form, they might finally stand a chance.
Suspensions.
Only Uganda will miss players due to suspensions. They will be without the services of defenders; Timothy Dennis Awany and Isaac Muleme who were red-carded during the 1-1 draw with Ethiopia on Sunday.
Kenya Vs Burundi.
Kenya who progressed as Group A leaders with 8 points after a 1-0 win over Tanzania, will have to outplay surprise Group B runners-up Burundi for a spot in the Final.
The hosts have a big advantage being on familiar ground but will be facing a well-rested Burundian side who played a match, less after the withdrawal of Zimbabwe.
Head to Head.
The two nations have faced off nine times in all competitions since the early 2000’s. Burundi has a slight upper hand over Kenya with three wins, two draws, and only two losses.
In the CECAFA tournament alone out of the three encounters, both sides have just a single win and two draws.
Venue.
CECAFA Media Manager, Rogers Mulindwa, confirmed both semifinals will be played at Moi Stadium in Kisumu but will finish the tournament at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“We were yet to agree on where the final will be played but it is now official that Machakos will stage the same,”[/perfectpullquote]
he confirmed.
CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup 2017 remaining fixtures.
Semifinal 1.
Kenya Vs Burundi – 3 p.m. (Moi Stadium, Kisumu)
Thursday, 14th December.
Semifinal 2.
Uganda Vs Zanzibar – 3 p.m. (Moi Stadium, Kisumu)
Friday, 15th December
Saturday, 16th December 2017.
REST DAY
Match Day 11.
Third Place Playoff: 1:30 p.m.
Final: 3 p.m.
Sunday, 17th December 2017.
Featured Photo: kenyafa.com
