Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE National Under-17 team Serengeti Boys open their CECAFA 2020 campaign today as they face hosts Rwanda in the opening game at Umuganda Stadium, Rubavu Rwanda.
The competition which begins today is expected to climax on December 22nd in Rwanda.
After the opening game, Serengeti Boys will step in the stadium on Wednesday to face Djibouti and complete the Group B round.
On the road to the opening game, Serengeti boys coach Hababuu Ali noted that they are determined to emerge victorious and pick a ticket to play in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) as CECAFA representative.
“It won’t be an easy match, as every team comes into the competition with the determination to win. All teams are looking forward to seal a place in the AFCON finals.”
He further noted that his squad consists 23 players who have trained intensively and are in good shape to represent their nation. He is confident that the boys will bring home the coveted trophy.
“All my players are in good shape and our goal is to win. Beginning with the victory will build the players’ confidence because the more we play our opponents will understand us and the games will be more competitive.”
Hababuu believes the team has made adequate preparations for the tournament, including a twoweek camp in Morocco, where they played two friendly matches as part of their psychological preparation.
The first and second placed team in the competitions will represent the region in next year’s AFCON competitions.
Whilst Serengeti Boys will begin its campaign their brothers Ngorongoro Heroes (Under 20) have already sealed a place in the AFCON U20 competitions to be staged in Mauritanian next year.
They picked the place after securing the second place of the CECAFA U20 tournament, which noted that the semifinalist shall represent the region in the AFCON competition.
Ngorongoro Heroes under Head Coach, Jamhuri Kihwelo showed an outstanding performance banking three wins in four games played.
They punished Djibouti 6-1, Somalia by 8-1 and South Sudan 1-0.
Thus, they automatically grabbed their ticket to 2021 African Cup of Nations U20 following their victory over South Sudan 1-0 in the Cecafa U20 Championship semifinal.
Despite their best performance and a ticket to AFCON, they were beaten in the finals 4-1 by Uganda Hippos.
