Uganda: Bunnamwaya’s First Real Hurdle

Andrew Mwanguhya

30 June 2011

Kampala — Bunnamwaya dispatched Somali champions Elman on Tuesday so effortlessly you would declare them the team to beat in the Cecafa Club Cup in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Not with four strikes, four brilliant strikes, and domination as they ripped apart a fairly passing Elman to assume table leadership in Group B on three points! Just the best start coach Edward Golola’s men needed for a team making just their first appearance at the tournament.

But even Golola will admit their first real test comes today when they face Sudan’s El Mereikh in one of two Group B matches. El Mereikh and Tanzania’s Yanga played out a 2-2 draw in their opening match. The Sudanese will, therefore, come into this one with real intent as anything less than a win, and Yanga beating Elman in the other match, would seriously jeopardise their progression hopes.

Bunnamwaya did themselves a favour by scoring a quadruple against a team both Mereikh and Yanga will look forward to pounding to better their chances. The 2010 Super League champions will, thus, approach Mereikh in a confident mood knowing even a draw would not be a catastrophic result. But what a test it will be for Bunnamwaya.

Golola’s positivity will, however, help his players’ attitude and it was well put by him minutes before the Elman game. “We might have finished third in our league,” Golola told the media, “But we shall have a very good run in this tournament. I promise you.”

The two sides have not met before but Mereikh eliminated KCC from the Confederations Cup in 2009, the last time they faced a Ugandan side. A win for Bunnamwaya will send them through to the quarterfinals.

Group B

Today (LIVE ON SS9)

El Mereikh v Bunnamwaya, 2pm

Elman v Yanga, 4pm

Group B standings

PWDLFAPs

Bunna1 100403

Merreikh 1 0 10 221

Yanga1 01 0 22 1

Elman1001040

AllAfrica – All the Time