Harambee Stars going for regional glory

The 34th edition of the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup kicks off Saturday in Dar es Salaam with a double header Group “A” action at Tanzania’s premier sports facitility, the 60,000 ultra-modern National Stadium.

Burundi and Somalia get the football show going from 2pm before hosts Tanzania, backed by a football mad expectant home crowd, take on Zambia in the second match of the day from 4pm

Title sponsors Tusker, who have forked out Sh36 million for this edition, have talked about their desire to develop football talent in this region that will lead to a Cecafa nation playing at the 2014 World Cup.

Big ambitions. But home team Tanzania, under Jan Poulsen, will be more keen on ending their jinx of never winning as hosts since triumphing in Dar es Salaam in 1974. Four hosting and no trophy since, as of the last count.

“It will be a big shame if the trophy does not remain in Tanzania,” Tanzania Football Federation Leodegar Tenga laid out the minimum requirement for the hosts.

Forward Mrisho Ngasa, who has previously attracted interest from South Africa, Brazil and England, will be a key figure in the Kilimanjaro Stars’ quest.

Uganda, coached by Scotsman Bobby Williamson, will be going for a record equaling three wins in a row. Only Kenya have won the diadem three times consecutively, from 1981 to 1983 under Marshal Mulwa.

The Ugandans, though, are the most successful nation at the championship with a record 11 titles. And they have the firepower in Tony Mawejje, Steve Bengo and Dan Wagaluka to extent that record.

Kenya’s unsubstantiated tag of regional soccer powerhouse still puts them on the list of serious contenders. Their last title however was way back in 2002 under Jacob Mulee who recently returned for another stint at the hot seat.

Newly named KPL player of the year George “BlackBerry” Odhiambo and the league’s top scorer John Baraza will lead Stars assault on the elusive title.

The regular contenders come up against formidable opposition in guest sides Malawi and cote d’Ivoire together with two time winners Sudan. Malawi, under their achieving coach Kinnah Phiri, who led them to the 2010 African Cup of Nations where they thumped World Cup appearing Algeria 3-0, will feel sufficiently confident of downing the best from this region.

Phiri has maintained several familiar faces including experienced Might Wanderers goalkeeper Simple Nthara, midfielder Dave Banda of Red Lions and striker Henry Kabichi of Wanderers.

He be further emboldened in knowing the Flames have won this tournament thrice before, 1978, 1979 and 1988 when they were Cecafa members.

Cote d’Ivoire are featuring their African Nations Championships side. Little is known about them but they failed to get beyond the group stage of the 2009 African Nations championships as hosts. In all, 12 teams are participating grouped in three pools of four.

“We expect a very good tournament. There are some good teams here and the competition will be tough,” Cecafa secretary Nicholas Musonye said. The top two sides from each pool together with the two best losers will progress to the quarterfinals. All matches will be held in Dar es Salaam.

Group A: Tanzania, Burundi, Somalia and Zambia.

Group B: Rwanda, Zanzibar, Sudan and Cote d’Ivoire.

Group C: Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Malawi.

FIXTURES: Saturday - (Group A): Burundi vs. Somalia; Tanzania vs. Zambia. Sunday - (Group B): Zanzibar vs. Sudan, Rwanda vs. Cote d’Ivoire. Monday (Group C): Uganda vs. Ethiopia; Malawi vs Kenya.