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| Ugandan ''''taxmen'''' eye Cecafa Cup |
1/19/2007 |
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Revenue Authority hope to complete a hat-trick of Cecafa Club Cup triumphs by Ugandan clubs on Saturday when they confront hosts APR of Rwanda in the final.
SC Villa outclassed APR in the 2005 final and Police edged Moro United of Tanzania last year in the annual tournament that carries a 30,000-dollar first prize from Pesident Paul Kagame of Rwanda.
And the ''''Taxmen'''' will not lack confidence despite playing at Amahoro Stadium, the 30,000-capacity home ground of military club APR, who have appeared in three previous finals and won one.
When the teams clashed in the group phase of the two-week championship, the Ugandans triumphed 3-0 to finish runners-up with Philip Obwin, Fred Okello and Patrick Ochan on target.
However, Revenue Authority dare not get carried away by that result as APR had already clinched first place via victories over Vital''''O of Burundi, Young Africans of Tanzania and CDE of Djibouti.
Ugandan coach Frank Anyau did make the most of the unexpected scoreline: "That was my greatest achievement as coach of Revenue Authority. Beating the Rwandan champons in their backyard was fantastic."
Newcomers Revenue have recovered superbly from a poor start to the tournament in which they surrendered a two-goal lead when held by Young Africans and lost to CDE, who were supposed to be the whipping boys.
Ochan scored twice and Johnson Bagoole once in a 3-0 rout of Vital''''O and the win against APR was followed by a 2-1 extra-time triumph over favoured Saint George of Ethiopia in the semi-finals.
Okello and Sam Mubiru scored during additional time and Revenue Authority were indebted to goalkeeper Mulindwe Muwonge as he made a string of spectacular saves to thwart the impressive Group B table toppers.
APR coach Andia Futila has demanded a repeat of the performance that brought a 2-0 victory over fellow Rwandans Atraco in the first semi-final and they will enjoy the advantage of extra rest having played 24 hours before the Ugandans.
"We beat a good team in Atraco and I hope my players retain that fighting spirit on Saturday," said the coach who joined APR recently from St Eloi Lupopo in his native DR Congo.
The nine goals that drove APR to the final have been struck by seven players with Rwandan international Andre Lomani and Zambian import Joseph Bwalya claiming two each.
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