Kenya - Rwanda Preview: Put eyes positive start with Harambee Stars

Seth Willis

Kenya - Rwanda Preview: Put eyes positive start with Harambee Stars image

The two teams – Kenya and Rwanda - come into the competitions with different objectives.

Harambee Stars are aiming at winning the competition to appease their fans, who are still burning with fury following the country's inability to host Chan, while Amavubi are using the competition to gauge the assembled squad that will take part in the aforementioned competition.

Coach Paul Put, who was recently appointed to handle the Stars, is aware he has to deliver in his first assignment to win the fans' while Antoine Hey, will be keen to down the host and prove they did a mistake by unceremoniously kicking him out.

Since 1996, the teams have met seven times in Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup, Kenya winning three times, losing once and drawing thrice. In the past two encounters, the matches had to be decided by post match penalties where Rwanda prevailed.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kenya: Mathare United's Chris Ochieng’ had an excellent league campaign and was rewarded with a call up. His involvement is definitely a motivation and he will want to prove it on the pitch. Masoud Juma, who scored 17 goals last season, is definitely going to be given a run; no other way to silence his critics than hit the back of the net.

Rwanda: APR's defender Omborenga Fitina, who was formerly based in Slovakia, will have a privilege of marshaling the defense; his experience will be the key especially against speedy Kenyan attack. Another player, who can harm the hosts if not taken care of is one Nshuti Innocent, he is always fast and with half a yard, he can punish any team. Dangerous!

PROBABLE LINE-UPS: Kenya: Boniface Oluoch, Wesley Onguso, Dennis Sikhayi, Musa Mohammed, Jockins Atudo, Earnest Wendo, Duncan Otieno, Chris Ochieng, Samuel Onyango, George Odhiambo and Vincent Oburu.

Rwanda squad from: Goalkeepers: Kimenyi Yves (APR FC), Nzarora Marcel (Police FC) and Eric Ndayishimiye (Rayon Sports FC).

Defenders: Rugwiro Herve (APR FC), Omborenga Fitina (APR FC), Imanishimwe Emmanuel, Manzi Thierry (Rayon Sports), Usengimana Faustin (Rayon Sports), Rutanga Eric (Rayon Sports), Kayumba Soter (AS Kigali), Iradukunda Eric (AS Kigali) and Mbogo Ally (SC Kiyovu).

Midfielders: Bizimana Djihad (APR FC), Hakizimana Muhadjiri (APR FC), Nshimiyimana Amran (APR FC), Mukunzi Yannick (Rayon Sports), Manishimwe Djabel (Rayon Sports), Niyonzima Ally (AS Kigali) and Niyonzima Olivier (Rayon Sports).

Forwards: Nshuti Innocent (APR FC), Sekamana Maxime (APR FC), Mico Justin (Police FC) and Biramahire Abeddy (Police FC).

Seth Willis