[ad_1]
Kenya-U-20 forward Benson Omala has urged his teammates to be cautious with a strong Ugandan squad as the two teams meet in the semi-final of the Cecafa U-20 Championship at Black Rhino Academy in Karatu, Arusha. Monday.
The match starts at noon and will be followed by another delightful encounter between South Sudan and the reigning champion, Tanzania.
A victory for the Rising Stars will not only ensure that they qualify for the championship final for the second year in a row, it will also give them a direct ticket to the final of the 2021 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for Mauritania.
Omala, who scored by dying in their 2-1 win against Sudan on Friday, says the team has to be in their prime to dislodge Uganda, which beat Burundi 6-1, and held on to an impressive South Sudan. in a sterile tie in his Group. B matches.
“We have to do our best to win against Uganda because our dream is to qualify for next year’s Afcon. We have won both of our group matches, but that will not count if we lose to Uganda. Today’s match is the toughest test. we have had to deal with since this competition started, “said the 18-year-old Form Four student at Kisumu Day.
Teenage sensation Gor Mahia is the Rising Stars’ top scorer so far with two goals. He scored in Kenya’s 3-0 win against Ethiopia in their first Group C match.
“We have had intense training and we have seen how Uganda has been playing in the competition. Our coach (Stanley Okumbi) has instructed us to fight and score early goals. For sure Uganda will be a tough opponent, but we are not afraid of them. we have prepared well ”, added Omalla.
His sentiments were supported by the team captain, Nicholas Omondi, who also participates in Gor Mahia.
“Last year we made it to the final and that was our goal when we came to participate in this competition. We are only one game away from qualifying for the Afcon and that is why we have to beat Uganda today as soldiers in our quest to raise the mark. title, “said 19-year-old midfielder Gor Mahia.
Coach Stanley Okumbi is expected to retain the majority of the players who have participated in the two Group C matches that were played at Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium.
In the 2019 edition, Kenya eliminated Eritrea 1-0 in the semi-finals before losing to Tanzania by the same margin in the final in Uganda.
