After the Cranes drew 0-0 with Burundi in their CECAFA 2017 group B opener, their is little or no room for error in the remaining two games.
First up is a date with South Sudan, the team that beat in the first round of qualification for the CHAN tournament.
The Cranes attacking detail left alot to be desired in the first game and emphasis in training has been put on how to bleach defences.
“We have been working on several situations when attacking. Said Head coach Moses Basena.
“We are not looking at what South Sudan can do but rather concetrating on what we can do and trying to make those things better.
“We have most of the top scoring players in our league and hopefully the goals can start flowing in.
“There will be one or two changes to the team that started the game against Burundi because we need to win to stay in contention.
It is highly anticipated that Bright Stars’ captain and joint second league top Scorer Nelson Ssenkatuka will start in today’s game but it remains to be seen whether he will replace the misfiring Derrick Nsibambi start alongside him.
Uganda is currently third in the group with Burundi the leaders and Ethipia who at in second having played a game more that the Cranes.
The Cranes will face Ehtiopia in the last game of the group stages on Monday.
Meanwhile in Zambia, the U20 side The Hippos will be hoping to secure their second win of the tournament when they take on Swaziland.
The Hippos put on one hall of a show in the first game against host, defending and 10 time record COSAFA U20 champions Zambia as they defeated the Young Chipolopolo side 2-0 thanks to a brace from captain and teenage sensation Muhammad Shaban.
“We are lucky we won the first game but everyone knows it’s not the end of the journey. Said Hippos head coach Matia Lule.
“We have been trying to correct the mistakes we made in the first game so as we don’t make them against Swaziland.
The Hippos opponents Swaziland played out a 5 goal thriller with Malawi which they lost 3-2 in their first game.
Looking at the fact that they(Swaziland) are capable of scoring, The Hippos will have to beon guard at the back and shut out the South African side out whilst grabing one or two goals them selves but in Shaban who is in the form of his life, Matia Lule’s side will surely be confident that the net will be ruttled.
Uganda will qualify for the quater finals with a game to spare if they win today while Swaziland will go out once defeated.
Malawi takes in Hosts Zambia at the same venue at 6:30 today while group C will see Angola play Namibia in the early kick-off.
CECAFA Senior challenge cup
Uganda vs South Sudan
Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega-Kenya
3:00
COSAFA U20 Championships
Uganda vs Swaziland
Arthur Davis Stadium, Kitwe-Zambia
3:30pm