Tournament favorites, Ivory Coast, made an lackluster start to their Africa Cup of Nations campaign on Sunday afternoon, narrowly beating a well organized Sudanese side 1-0, in an encounter which most experts expected Les Elephants to win by a much more comfortable margin.

As expected, Francois Zahoui’s Ivory Coast lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Igor Lolo given the nod at right back and Jean-Jacques Gosso starting alongside Cheik Tiote in the centre of midfield.

Sudan’s coach, Mohammed Abdalla Ahmed, as we saw in the recent CECAFA Cup opted for a narrow 4-3-1-2 system, with Mohamed Bashir starting alongside Al Hilal Omdurman striker, Mudathir El-Tahir and aging captain, Haitham Mustafa, pushed forward into a more advanced position than we’ve seen him in previous games.

Sudan’s defensive shape 

During the first half, despite being frustratingly narrow in possession, Sudan’s defensive strategy was simple and, to a point, effective. On losing possession, Mohamed Bashir dropped back into midfield, effectively making a 4-1-4-1, with the excellent, Ala’a Yousif, covering the zone in front of the back four. Every Sudanese player retreated behind the halfway line to await the advancing Ivorian defence. Except striker Mudathir El-Tahir, who was left upfield to apply pressure to the Ivorian centre backs. As soon as Les Elephants crossed the half way line, Sudan squeezed up and pressed the man with the ball and tightly marked his surrounding team mates.

(See Diagram 1 and 2 showing how Sudan dropped back, then pressed the Ivorians just inside their own half)

This strategy worked to good effect and, for half an hour, Ivory Coast, loaded with the responsibility of being tournament favorites, looked nervous. But there was a clear attacking strategy; to play attractive football, keep the ball on the ground and pass it around the Sudanese defence. They did this by switching play in deep areas and unleashing their full backs and inverted wingers to get around the Sudanese back line.

Nevertheless, Dider Drogba and his attacking partners looked stifled by Sudan’s quick defensive change, from dropping to pressing, and with half an hour gone Sudan’s goalkeeper, Mahjoub Moez, remained untested.

Changing the point of attack

With Sudan retreating, then stepping up, that clearly left space behind the Sudanese defensive line; space that would be vulnerable to angled passes from deeper areas. With half an hour gone there hadn’t been a single, successful, diagonal pass by Ivory Coast from a deep area into the attacking third.

In the thirty-eighth minute Les Elephants, who had dominated possession, albeit in deeper areas of the pitch, finally took the lead. Cheik Tiote glided an excellent cross-field pass to Kalou, on the left, who delivered a pinpoint cross for Chelsea teammate, Didier Drogba, to power home a header and open his account for the tournament.

(See the StatZone diagrams, below, showing; a) the lack of diagonal passes in the opening 30 minutes, then b) the diagonal passes, from right to left, that created the Drogba goal and a second, from a central left position, which gave the Ivorians another scoring opportunity).

The Falcones of Jediane spread their wings

Despite being defensively effective in the first half, offensively Sudan were narrow and easily crowded out in the centre of the pitch by the hardworking Ivorian defensive duo of Jean-Jacques Gosso and Cheik Tiote. At half time the Sudan coach, Mohammed Abdalla Ahmed, addressed the problem and readjusted his tactics.

In the second half, Sudan were still set up 4-3-1-2, but Amir Kamal and Nazer Hamid were encouraged to peel away into wider areas of the pitch when in possession. As the play developed and as Sudan reached Ivory Coast’s defensive third, the two wingers reverted to type, dropping inside to link up with the central attacking players, creating space for both full backs, Mowaia Bashir and Ballah Jabir, to overlap.

This switch wasn’t just an attempt to get ‘around’ the Ivorians, but also to create more space in central areas for Haitham Mustafa, Mohamed Bashir and Mudathir El-Tahir to combine and create scoring opportunities.

(See Diagram 3 below showing how Sudan’s width in the second half that helped them create more space in central areas).

It was no surprise when, with sixty four minutes gone, Ivorian coach, Francois Zahoui, withdrew Kalou and replaced him with Max Gradel. Despite providing an assist for what was to be the only goal of the game the Chelsea forward was mostly ineffective and his lack of ‘tracking back’ in support of Tiene left the Ivorian full back exposed to the overlapping play of Sudan’s Ballah Jabir.

Another impressive aspect of Sudan’s second half performance was the tempo at which they moved the ball into the Ivorian half. However, Sudan lack players with the quality to produce moments of technical brilliance and, for all of their huffing and puffing going forward in the second half, they failed to score what would have been a deserved equaliser.

Despite Sudan’s second half rally, Ivory Coast never looked troubled defensively. But, from an attacking perspective, there are still question marks over how Les Elephants will get the best out of their star-studded forward line as the tournament progresses.

Thanks to @StatZone for allowing me to use visuals from their excellent, FREE, Africa Cup of Nations App for the iPhone (http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/fourfourtwo-africa-cup-nations/id493916372?mt=8).

On a humid night at the Amaan Stadium, in Zanzibar City, last Thursday, Stewart Hall and his Azam FC players celebrated the team’s first trophy since the Englishman took charge of the Tanzanian club in late 2010. Azam were deservedly crowned Mapinduzi Cup champions, following a 3-1 win over Jamhuri of Pemba.

Their victory, in the final, was anything but straightforward. Despite starting the match as firm favorites, Azam found themselves behind after 15 minutes, when Ally Mmanga put the island side ahead. But the tournament’s top scorer, John Bocco, restored parity for Azam, just before half time. In the dying minutes of a thrilling match, an inspired substitution by Hall bringing on live-wire forward, Mrisho Ngassa, who scored two quick-fire goals, in the 89th and 91st minute, to seal a memorable victory for Azam.

Stewart Hall’s side not only highlighted their technical brilliance during the eleven day tournament, but also showcased their newly found tactical understanding and flexibility. Hall and his coaching team, including assistant, Vivek Nagul, have clearly been putting the hours in on the training ground,  following the Tanzanian Premier League (TPL) mid-season break, which started in early November 2011. Azam’s ability to switch from a 4-4-2, to 4-3-3 and 4-1-2-3, without the players showing any sign of discomfort with the new shape, left opposition teams scratching their heads on how best to react to the changing tactical dynamic being played out in front of them.

For Stewart Hall, the two most pleasing aspects of Azam’s performances at the Mapinduzi Cup must have been the improved creative display of his midfield and the goal scoring threat posed by his forward line.

Back in November 2011, I wrote a piece on Azam’s form in the first half of the current TPL season (hyperlink). Despite lying third in the league, five points behind leaders Simba and four points off second placed Yanga, and having the joint meanest defensive record in the TPL, his side had been having serious problems creating goal scoring opportunities and converting them. In thirteen games they had only scored more than one goal in three game and averaged a miserly 0.9 goals per game.

Judging by his side’s performances in the Mapinduzi Cup, however, Azam seem to be remedying these problems. The team’s defensive strategy remains the same: without the ball they are compact, well drilled and patient. In their five Mapinduzi Cup games, Azam only conceded three goals; an average of 0.60 goals conceded per game  – exactly the same average from their final five TPL games. Conversely, they were the Mapinduzi Cup’s top goal scorers, with twelves goals in five games, including impressive 3-0 and 2-0 victories over their main TPL rivals Simba and Yanga, respectively. This improved attacking philosophy saw them increase their average goals per game ratio from 1.20, from their final five TPL game of last year, to a entertaining 2.40 goals per game in the Mapinduzi Cup (see graph below).

The Tanzanian Premier League swings back into action this coming Saturday, with Azam kicking off next Wednesday, 25^th, away to African Lyon.

If Azam can carry their Mapinduzi Cup form into the second half of the TPL, Stewart Hall could well add even more silverware to the Azam trophy cabinet. From the reaction of Hall and his players after the final whistle on Thursday, this could be the start of something big for Steward Hall and Azam FC.

Note: for photos from the Mapinduzi Cup final, including a understandably jubilant Stewart Hall, check out the Azam FC’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.321288781244818.75831.131868543520177&type=3

Photo courtesy of Echwalu Edward (@echwalu) and his excellent photography blog: echwaluphotography.wordpress.com

In spite of the Uganda Cranes’ failure to qualify for the up-coming Africa Cup of Nations, Ugandan football, at a national level at least, enjoyed a promising 2011. The Cranes’ were crowned CECAFA Cup champions for the third time in four years, finished second to a Samuel Eto’o inspired Cameroon in the LG Cup, and only lost four competitive games all year.

Under the guidance of their Scottish coach, Bobby Williamson, they have developed a pragmatic system of play, based around a 4-2-1-3 formation; defending deep, encouraging teams onto them, restricting space in the centre of the pitch, and hitting their opponents on the break with high and wide wingers and supporting full backs. This system has worked well, to a point. Uganda only conceded two goals in six games in their failed Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign. Only six other competing nations managed to conceded fewer goals, with all but one of those making it to the tournament finals.

The country’s domestic league, the Uganda Super league, received a significant financial boost in 2011 in the shape a of new five-year, US$ 5 million, TV deal with the South African sports’ network, SuperSport. This lucrative deal helped them retain their existing sponsorship deals with pan-African banking group, Ecobank, and East African Breweries Limited.

However, despite these positives, Ugandan football is suffering from a fundamental problem that is effecting both its domestic league and national team. That is, an inability to develop creative central midfielders. If the country is going to build on the successes achieved on and off the pitch, in 2011, there must be a understanding of the problem and a plan put in place to address it.

Nowhere is this lack of creativity and – as a result – lack of goals, more evident than in the Uganda Super League.

The Ugandan Super League currently sees fewer goals scored per game compared with other regional leagues and three major, sub-saharan, national leagues. Indeed, it is a growing problem.

The average goals per game ratio has been falling for the past five seasons. In the 2007/08 season the league averaged was 1.05 goals per game. In 2011 fans put up with a snoozy 0.80 goals per game. Uganda is the only league in the region that dips below 1.00 goals per game (see below the table showing the average goals scored per game in East African, Nigerian, South African and Ghanaian leagues over the past five seasons).

Why are Ugandan teams struggling to find the back of the net?

One reasons is the move away from the 4-4-2 formation, used so commonly by local coaches, and the increasing popularity of 4-5-1 and 4-3-3 (or variations of both). These formations are, in theory, neither more defensive nor attacking than a 4-4-2. But it depends on the coaches’ interpretations of the formation, and the system of play they build around that formation, which determines how pro-active or re-active players will be.

Before I go any further, there needs to be an understanding of how comparatively poorly Ugandan coaches are supported by their national federation compared with their European counterparts. In Europe, professional football coaches are blessed with structured coaching programs and functioning coaches’ associations which support their continued learning and development. In Uganda there is little support from the national association.

Ugandan coaches have limited access to footballing resources, which affects their ability to develop and grow professionally and therefore adversely affects their capacity to coach different systems to their players.

Until the appointment of Bobby Williamson, in 2008, the predominant formation used by most coaches in the Uganda Super League was a 4-4-2. There are two main ways to deploy a 4-4-2. The first is a ‘flat’ system, which relies on two supporting, as opposed to attacking, central midfielders, with the main attacking penetration coming from the wingers and overlapping wing backs. The second variation sees a diamond-shaped midfield, with a designated defensive midfielder and an attacking midfielder. The wingers operate in a similar way to their role in the ‘flat’ system, but with the full backs supporting rather than overlapping. There are, of course, other variations, but these are the most common tactical scenarios.

A 4-4-2 is excellent from both attacking and defensive perspectives, insofar that it provides cover and support in all areas of the pitch and, crucially, utilises two strikers who are naturally placed close to one another.

As the national team have become increasingly successful, using a 4-2-1-3 formation, coaches in the Ugandan Super League have, not surprisingly, followed suit and opted to rely on a lone striker in a 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 formation.

The problem with both these systems is that you lose the element of natural support to the strikers that you naturally get with a 4-4-2. Both new systems (4-5-1 and 4-3-3) require a greater tactical understanding and level of coaching; to let players know when and where to make attacking runs in support of the lone striker. But how can you expect local coaches to be able to implement these ‘idea’s’ with their players if they are not supported by their local associations and are able to develop their own tactical identity? ‘You cannot’, is the answer!

It’s not just the coaches that suffer, the players do as well. If there is a national acceptance of the lone striker system, then young players have to be given the right guidance, during their development, on how to play in such a system. Emphasis should be placed on developing players’ technical ability and collective awareness, but coaches and players must also have access to tactical resources.

As domestic teams and organizations struggle to develop such creative, tactically aware, players, the effect is being felt at the national team level.

Over-Reliance on Obua

Under Williamson, the Hearts of Midlothian midfielder, David Obua, has been the Cranes’ creative heartbeat. Given free attacking license, to operate anywhere behind the lone striker, he was the Cranes’ top scorer in the Africa Cup of Nations’ Qualifiers (in which Uganda scored six goals) with two goals and two assists in five games. Only one country who qualified for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations – Botswana – scored few goals (see below the average goals scored and conceded in the 2010/11 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers, by Uganda and the eventual qualifying nations)

The creative pressure heaped upon David Obua’s shoulders was unsustainable and, as the qualifiers wore on, his lack of ability to handle this pressure began to tell. In June, a frustrated Obua reacted angrily to being substituted, after a less than convincing performance in Uganda’s 2-0 home win over Guinea Bissau. Another disappointing performance in Luanda saw the Cranes’ concede their first goals of the qualifying campaign, the 2-0 loss to Angola heaping the pressure on David Obua and his team mates in their final, must-win, game against Kenya’s Harambee Stars.

With a day to go before the Crane’s crucial match with Kenya, and as the side were asked to break training, yet again, to meet another government big wig (on this occasion no less than the president, H.E.,Yoweri Museveni), the lanky midfielder walked out of training, after being refused a request to ask the president a question. For this ‘misdemeanor’, Obua was dropped from the squad; for what was his country’s most important game in thirty-two years. Some pundits suggested Bobby Williamson’s hand was forced over the issue, by FUFA President, Lawrence Mulindwa. Regardless of who ordered his exclusion, David Obua’s absence from the game with Kenya, which ended in a dismal 0-0 draw and resulted in Uganda missing out on qualification for the finals, highlighting their over-reliance on Obua as their creative architect.

As I touched upon earlier, Uganda’s defensive performances in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers must be applauded. The defensive system that Bobby and his coaching team devised, around a 4-2-1-3 formation, was extremely effective. With the central midfield three of Mudde, Mawejje and Obua dropping back when out of possession, it restricted the space in central areas for opposition teams to operate. This forced opponents wide and meant their only consistent attacking threat came from crosses into the box. Uganda dealt with this threat by employing two, towering, six foot plus, centre backs, Andrew Mwesigwa and Ibrahim Sekagya. This further lessened the attacking threat of their opponents. Simple, but effective.

Going forward, in possession, a 4-2-1-3 system is most effective in the final third of the pitch, when the front line either interchanges laterally or are able to move the ball at pace, and there are runners from deep midfield positions who can burst into the spaces created and receive the ball.

Uganda’s regular front three in the qualifiers were Vincent Kayizi, on the right, Geoffrey Massa, through the middle and Mike Sserumaga, down the left.

The problem with this front three was that they were not flexible enough, despite the obvious quality of Kayizi and Sserumaga, in particular. Kayizi is more of a touchline hugging winger who, to his credit, is an excellent deliverer from wide areas. Massa is an effect striker, in front of goal, but is relatively limited at holding the ball up and combining effectively with runners from deep and wide areas. Sserumaga is the most talented of the three, a left footed forward who drifts into wider areas, usually the left, where he can operate 1v1 against opposition full backs, and is impressive cutting inside, for a shot on goal, or outside, for a cross into the box (see below the most common Ugandan lineup from 2011).

Going forward

Bobby Williamson has to find a solution to his side’s creative problems. If David Obua is to be left to the shadows then there is a gaping hole in the attacking centre of his side.

Towards the end of 2011 Williamson stuck with his 4-2-1-3 formation and system of play in both the LG Cup and CECAFA Cup, but selected a youthful squad, mainly made up of U20 ‘Kobs’ players.

Promisingly, these tournaments saw Uganda open up and increase their average goals scored per game ratio (see below the average goals scored and conceded per game in the 2011 CECAFA Cup).

Bear in mind, however, the opposition in the CECAFA Cup were lesser mortals than those Uganda faced in the Africa Nations Cup qualifiers.

For most of the CECAFA Cup tournament, Mike Sserumaga operated behind the central striker, who rotated between Robert Ssentongo and the youngsters, Emma Okwi and Hamis Kiiza. This central role didn’t entirely suit Sserumaga who, on occasions and against lesser teams, found it difficult to cope with the expanded playing space and options around him, as opposed to his usual position on the left flank.

The big disappointment, from a Uganda perspective, was the performance, or lack of it, of Mike Mutyaba.

This nineteen year old midfielder has the potential to become a key member in Uganda’s new creative hub. He is a right footed, attacking midfielder, with a low centre of gravity, quick turn of pace and excellent skills’ set. Crucially, his decision making in congested areas of the pitch is far better than many of his seniors in the Uganda squad. Because of his age, he had been both sparingly used by Bobby on the international stage and, when he was thrust into the side, usually deployed on either flank; where he had more time and could combine, to cut in on the diagonal. It would be an interesting move to see Mutyaba operating in a more central area of the pitch, or at least rotating that role with a wide player during a game.

Just before Christmas, Sudanese champions’ side, Al-Merriekh, splashed out a reported US$40,000 to make Mutyaba one of the most expensive Ugandan players of all time. The move is an excellent opportunity for the youngster, both to taste African Champions’ League action this coming year and to continue his development as a player in a team that has one of the best domestic goals scored per game ratios in the region (2.6 goals per game).

This move should also benefit the Uganda Cranes’, particularly if he can improve his physical build and ability to hold off opponents, which is crucial to working successfully in a advanced central area.

Mike Mutyaba still needs time to develop, so one possible short-term option could be Swedish team, AIK’s, Martin Mutumba. The Swedish born attacking midfielder has reportedly been monitored by Bobby Williamson and there are suggestions that the Scot will attempt to persuade the flamboyant forward to represent the country of his parents’ birth. Should he be successful in doing so, this would likely signal a extension to Mike Sserumaga’s time in the centre of the Cranes’ attacking line, as Mutumba is more effective operating down the flanks.

The trust shown in Mike Sserumaga, to play a central role in the CECAFA Cup competition, suggests he will continue to hold down a place in the national team setup, and so he should.

The presence of Vincent Kayizi would seem in doubt. The winger was dropped for the CECAFA Cup, after a string of disappointing performances in the final two games of the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers and the LG Cup.

Kayizi’s selection to the national team will likely depend on the type of lone striker Bobby Williamson decides to deploy. If the games against Kenya and the LG Cup are anything to go by, then Brian Umony appears to have worked his way back into Bobby’s plans. Umony is a solid, all-round, striker effective with his back to goal and in front of goal; who times his runs into the penalty area well. An in-form Kayizi would be an obvious choice, on the right, if Umony gets the nod, but the striker is yet to finalised his move to South African Premier Soccer League side, Ajax Cape Town, and he begins 2012 without a club.

This may leave the door open for the young, live-wire, striker, Emma Okwi. The second highest goalscorer in the recent CECAFA Cup, with four goals in as many games, has impressed of late. He still needs to work on his effectiveness, back to goal, but he showed glimpses of development in this area in the CECAFA Cup.

Okwi is blessed with a lightening turn of pace and is one of the Cranes’ most intelligent movers off the ball. If he is selected ahead of Umony then a different type of winger, on the right flank, may be a more effective option for the team. Moses Oloya, a stocky right winger, who prefers to make angled runs inside from wide areas, Hamis Kiiza or Sula Matovu for that matter, would ‘fit the bill’. All three are able to commit opposition defenders and would unsettle any side’s defensive balance. Coupled with Okwi’s awareness of space around him, they could pose a more potent attacking threat than the current side can muster.

The other change could be a slight tactical alteration, to support the central attacking player. If Musa Mudde or Tony Mawejje were pushed slightly further forward, into a 4-1-2-3 formation, when in possession, it would give the Cranes’ more balance in midfield; allow them to recycle the ball in the centre of the pitch; provide Sserumaga and Oloya with a supporting central player to bounce the ball off, when they cut inside; and Mutyaba could offer support to Okwi in a more advanced position (see below a possible Uganda team of 2012).

The need for Ugandan football to address the growing creative problem is clear; long term and short term.

Long term: coaches and players, in the Uganda Super League, need access to coaching course and material to help develop more creative players; those who will be capable of understanding what is required of them in the newly adopted formations.

Short term: the Uganda Cranes’ qualifying group for the 2014 World Cup will test the undoubted progress made by the national team over the past three years, in a group consisting of Senegal, Africa Cup of Nations heartbreakers Angola and Liberia.

Uganda must find a balance between their current pragmatic approach and their obvious need to create more goalscoring opportunities.

Tanzania’s collective performance at the recent CECAFA Cup was by no means sparkling. The squad was predominantly made up of players from the Tanzanian Premier League (TPL), with the exception of TP Mazembe strikers Mbwana Samata and Thomas Ulimwengu.

A win and two losses in the group stage left the tournament hosts third in Group A, but they managed to scrape through to the knock-out round by virtue of a 89th minute Mwinyi Kazimoto goal against Zimbabwe which lifted the Kilimanjaro Stars ahead of Kenya in the third-place mini league.

A 1-0 win over Malawi in the Quarter-finals lifted the home fans spirits, but despite an impressive first half defensive display in the Semi-finals (see Diagram 1 for their tactical shape), they eventually succumbed to a 3-1 loss to Uganda (the eventual winner of this years tournament).

So a disappointing fourth place finish, saw the team average just one goal per game whilst conceding, on average, 1.2 goal per game.

The team’s most impressive performers were all midfielders; Shabani Nditi of Mtibwa Sugar, Mwinyi Kazimoto (Simba) and Mrisho Ngassa of Azam FC (I didn’t see enough of TP Mazembe strikers Mbwana Samata and Thomas Ulimwengu but both are worth a mention as players with potential).

The starting point for most of the Kilimanjaro Star’s attacks was Shabani Nditi. His role in the side was to screen the back four and fill two key functions; sweep in front of the back four when the opposition were engaging Tanzania’s midfield unit, and provide the back four with a short passing option if they had the space to play out from the back. Shabani movement, off the ball, therefore would tend to be lateral in covering the space in front of the defensive block.

His distribution in confined areas (in particular short passes) was instrumental in allowing Tanzania to play out from the back in a considered manner. But his most impressive skill was his awareness of opposition runners around him and his ability to close them down effectively before they could pose a threat.

He did have trouble at times knowing when to show players inside or outside, but in this instance, his athletic ability meant he could recover and allow his team to maintain their defensive shape.

As soon as Shabani received the ball in space, one player was always attempting to make himself available: the excellently named Mwinyi Kazimoto. The central midfielder finished the tournament as Tanzanian’s top scorer, with two goals in five games, and was by far their most consistent performer. The Kilimanjaro’s formation, when attacking, tended to be a 4-1-2-3, with Nditi holding behind midfield duo Mwinyi Kazimoto and Ramadhan Chombo. Mwinyi’s primary role was to receive short passes from Shabani before looking to make forward passes (long or short) to Mrisho Ngasa on the left wing, Nurdin Bakari on the right, or their loan striker (for the Uganda game that was Hussein Javu). Once he made those passes he was extremely effective at making quick forward runs beyond the oppositions defensive line to either create space for one of the other front three or receive the ball and create his own shooting opportunity. Mwinyi has an interesting skill set; his awareness of passing option is good, he’s energetic and is a composed finisher in front of goal. He can sometime be let down by selecting the wrong type of pass to make, a sign of his eagerness to force the play.

This lack of patience becomes apparent when he’s called into defensive duties. He is excellent at recovering into a defensive position, but is often keen to press and win the ball back, regardless of his team’s defensive strategy. But Mwinyi is still young and this dynamic midfielder has bags of potential.

Mrisho Ngassa is a familiar name to Seattle Sounders fans after the young winger spent time with the The Sounders earlier this year before returning to TPL side Azam FC. Mrisho wasn’t the most consistent performer in the CECAFA Cup but his display against Uganda in the Semi-final was one of the most eye catching of the tournament. The winger is slight, stocky, skillful and lightning quick off the mark. His crossing from wide areas is good, but he’s more effective cutting in on the diagonal from the left flank. He could also feasibly operate as a forward in a 4-4-2, but would need to be coached in how to work in a more central position.

Similar to Mwinyi, his defensive abilities are okay, but need improvement. His pace allows him to recover or press, depending on the system, but he tends to jump into challenges which can leave his supporting full back exposed to a 2v1 overlap.

Despite being small Mrisho speed and low centre of gravity gives him to the ability to burst past opponents in 1v1 situations. In the game against Uganda he was pushed slightly higher, on the left, than the rest of the midfield block and his pace became a real weapon on the break.

Mrisho is a hugely talented prospect and, if given the right application and guidance in the future, will become a real ‘star’.

Pre-tournament favourites, Uganda, have not been in the most convincing form of late. The Cranes’ squad for this tournament includes several players from their Kobs (Under 20’s) team, as Scottish coach, Bobby Williamson, looks to rejuvenate his senior side after their Africa Cup of Nations’ heart-break. However, a recent second place finish at the LG Cup, where the Cranes lost to Cameroon but finished ahead of the hosts, Morocco, and local rivals, Sudan, has boosted their morale.

The Cranes’ performances in the opening two games of this tournament – a 2-1 win over Zanzibar and 4-0 victory over Somalia – suggested they had carried this recent form into the CECAFA Cup. But a 1-0 loss to Burundi followed by a unconvincing 1-0 Quarter-final victory over Zimbabwe, suggests there is still work for Bobby Williamson and his coaching staff to do if they want to go all the way.

Tournament hosts, Tanzania, had qualified for the knock-out round as one of the competition’s best placed runners-up, on goal difference, thanks to a 89th minute Mwinyi Kazimoto strike against Zimbabwe that lifted the Kilimanjaro Stars ahead of Kenya in the third-place mini league.

Two losses and a win in the group stage hadn’t filled the local fans with much hope of the reigning champions reclaiming their crown, but in Mwinyi Kazimoto and Nurdin Bakari they had, at least, revealed two of the tournament’s most interesting attacking players.

Uganda Cranes’ coach, Bobby Williamson, stuck with his tried and tested 4-2-1-3 formation, with Musa Mudde expected to push on in support of their chief attacking architect, Mike Sserumaga. Sula Matovu kept his place on the left of the attack, having replaced the disappointing Mike Mutyaba in the group stages. Hamis Kiiza’s selection as the lone striker, in place of Emma Okwi, was the only change that raised the pundit’s eyebrows.

Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro Stars’ coach, Charles Boniface, went for a more cautious approach; a 4-1-4-1 with Shaban Nditi screening the back four, Marisho Ngassa pushing slightly higher on the left flank and Hussein Javu as the lone striker.

There were three, key, tactical changes that influenced the game:

1) Uganda’s high attacking line, their lack of movement and passing options on the flanks

2) Bobby Williamson opens up the pitch

3) The Emma Okwi effect; movement in the central attacking third

No Width, No Penetration

Bobby Williamson excels at creating natural width to open the pitch up. He presses his wingers high up, to force the opposition full backs to retreat thus giving his full backs room to support and overlap. His side started this way yesterday. However, it was evident, from the first few minutes, that this setup was leaving Uganda’s centre backs, Andrew Mwesigwa and Godfrey Walusimbi, exposed to Tanzania’s quick and technically adept wingers, Marisho Ngassa and Nurdin Bakari.

In the seventeenth minute this exposure led to Tanzania’s opening goal. Uganda’s forward thinking full backs were caught napping in the attacking third, a quick ball over the top from Stars’ centre back, Erasto Nyoni, set off a race between the speedy Ngassa and Cranes’ centre back Andrew Mwesigwa, where there was only ever going to be one winner.

Ngassa tore past Mwesigwa and applied the finish. Ugandan goalkeeper, Abel Dhaira, made a limp attempt to prevent Ngassa run through on goal, but Uganda’s defence should not have allowed Ngassa to get 1v1 with Mwesigwa. The goal shook Uganda, particularly the full backs Isinde and Masaba, who, concerned with leaving space behind them, both dropped deeper and rarely ventured forward beyond the twentieth minute.

Uganda’s other problem was central midfielder, Musa Mudda. The Cranes rely on Musa’s forward bursts, from central midfield, to open up the pitch and give Tony Mawejje forward passing options. He failed to do this in the first hand and was, too often, caught in deep midfield areas, in spaces that Tony Mawejje should have been filling (see Diagram 1 for how a lack of width from the full backs and penetration through the mid-field left Tony Mawejje with limited forward passing options).

So, with forward passes not available to the full backs, central midfielders and wingers, Uganda struggled to sustain a periods of possession. Tanzania, to their credit, defended very well.

Opening Up The Pitch

From the start of the second half, it was clear that Bobby Williamson and his coaching team had set out to address the attacking problems his side had suffered in the first half. His full backs were encouraged to push forward again, wingers Matovu and Wagaluke invited infield and encouraged to come short to receive the ball and, crucially, Musa Mudde, began to making forward runs, opening up space for the Cranes to start their passing game.

These changes left Uganda exposed, particularly to quick balls to Ngassa and Javu. But the quality of passing from Stars’ central pairing of Kazimoto and Chombo was poor and they failed to capitalise on the space behind the full backs (See Diagram 2 for how Tony Mawejje now has four, clear,  forward passing options and space in the Tanzanian midfield line).

In the 55th minute, Cranes’ captain, Andrew Mwesigwa’s, downward header from a quickly taken corner by Isaac Isinde drew them level. The goal was well deserved aster a period of sustained possession and pressure.

The Okwi Effect

Uganda were finally level and in control. Coach, Bobby Williamson, immediately switched to a 4-2-4 formation in search of the winner. He withdrew the ineffective Hamis Kiiza and Mike Sserumaga and replaced them with Emma Okwi and Robert Ssentongo.

The Kilimanjaro Stars looked devoid of creative ideas and as Uganda piled on the pressure from the flanks the Tanzanians found it increasingly difficult to play out from the back.

The attacking combination of Ssentongo and Okwi was becoming a increasing threat for the Stars. As Uganda broke down the flanks Ssentongo drifted into deeper areas, outside the penalty area, pulling Stars’ centre back, Erasto Nyoni, out from his back-line, allowing Cranes’ Okwi to burst into the space vacated (See Diagram 3 for how the Cranes changed shape, and how the movement of their front two created the space for them to break through the Stars’ defensive line).

Into extra-time, with 102 minutes on the clock, the Cranes’ live-wire, Okwi, burst into space, between the Stars’ centre backs, to meet Wagaluke’s pin-point cross with a diving header and put Uganda in front for the first time in the game. With 8 minutes of the second period left, Okwi won the penalty, converted by Isaac Isinde, that put the icing on the cake and sent Bobby Williamson’s Uganda Cranes flying into their third CECAFA Cup final in four years.

Going into the match, Rwanda were the only side left in the tournament with a 100% record, having strolled through their group without conceding a goal and beating Zanzibar 2-1 in the Quarter-finals. Sudan’s route to the semis had been less than convincing. They were one of the tournament’s lowest scoring teams and had scraped through the group stage following a narrow, final day, victory over Kenya’s Harambee Stars.

Rwanda’s coach, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic, adjusted the shape of his side following their disappointing performance against Zanzibar; switching to a 4-4-1-1 formation, with supporting full backs Alex Ngabo and Frederic Ndaka (never the keenest pair to overlap), quick wingers with license to cut in from the flanks and attacking kingpin, Oliver Karekezi, given a free role off the lead striker, Meddie Kagere.

You may remember ‘Micho’ fielding the youngest side in the tournament (with an average age 21) against Djibouti in the group stage. Against a seasoned Sudan side the Serbian upped that average to 25, as only five of that eleven started against the Falcons of Jediane.

Sudan’s coach, Mohammed Abdalla Ahmed, went with a narrow 4-1-3-2 system that, in effect, contributed to his side’s eventual defeat.

There were three key tactical influences on the game:

1) The first half defensive display by Rwanda

2) Sudan’s second half reaction; creating width and a midfield overload

3) The Rwandan coach, Milutin Sredojevic’s, bold, attacking, second-half switch that took the Amavubi into Saturday’s final.

Making Play Predictable

Rwanda, as they have done regularly in this year’s CECAFA Cup, started the game sharply with Ndaka and Iranzi a particular threat down the left. In the sixth minute Rwanda’s right back Alex Ngabo sprayed a lofted pass, from just inside his own half, onto the head of Haruna Niyozima, whose cushioned header looped over Sudan’s high defensive live, allowing Iranzi to dash through on goal and confidently guide the ball past their onrushing keeper.

As the half wore on, the intriguing tactical system wasn’t when Rwanda were in possession, it was when they were without the ball. Milutin had clearly done his homework and was aware of Sudan’s brazen lack of width in earlier games. As soon as one of the four Sudanese midfielder stepped over the halfway line (the trigger for this defensive manoeuvre), the Rwandan midfield stepped up, Iranzi and Gasana tucked in from the flanks and the back four pressed up between 5-10 yards, depending on the position of the Sudanese strikers. Every Rwandan player marking zonally. The desired effect was to narrow the pitch, deny Sudan space in the centre of their attacking third and make their play predictable and in effect make it easier to defend. It worked.

Sudan didn’t help themselves either. Their full backs were non existent as attacking/supporting outlets. Their midfield ‘creative’ three – I use the word ‘creative’ in the loosest possible way, based on their first half display – were stiflingly narrow and both strikers filled the same role; trying to push back the Rwandan back-line. See Diagram 1, below, showing Sudan’s lack of width and Rwanda’s defensive shape in funnelling attacks into central areas.

The half-time possession stats -  Sudan 56% Rwanda 44% – were slightly misleading in  sofar as it suggested Sudan were more of a threat. Not the case! About 80% of Sudan’s passes were backwards or sideways, chiefly because of the lack of space Rwanda were giving them to operate in the final third.

The Reaction; Flirting with the Flanks

Mohammed Abdalla Ahmed was clearly aware that his side needed to be more effective at creating space in the final third of the pitch, so drew back one of his forwards and a midfielder to create a 4-2-3-1 formation; thus pushing his two wide players onto the flanks. This system would also allow Sudan to overload Rwanda in central midfield and create gaps in Rwanda’s midfield and defensive lines.

This change of formation did help Sudan break through Rwanda’s defence in the opening minutes of the second half, but that wasn’t the only reason for their resurgence at the start of the second half.

If you are going to play a zonal marking system, where two units (the midfield and defence) step up simultaneously, then every player must be concentrating; both to react quickly and, conversely, to be patient and hold your position. Rwanda came out of the half time break forgetfull of these key rules (see Diagram 2, below, showing Sudan’s new found width and their 3v2 attacking overload, in the centre of midfield, giving them an attacking foothold in the game).

Sudan dominated from the start of the second half. The possession stats on sixty minutes showed Sudan with 71%.  It seemed only a matter of time before they would score. And on sixty eight minutes they did just that. More sloppy defending from Rwanda saw right back, Ngabo, stepping up and misjudging a long ball from defence, Sudan’s left winger, Osman Tahir, stole in and crossed for Ramadan Agab to acrobatically volley in the equaliser.

Micho’s Bold Attacking Move

Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic’s reaction to the equaliser was swift and daring. He withdrew seventeen year old centre back, Emery Bayisenge, replaced him with seventeen year old creative midfield, Andrew Buteera, and switched to a 3-1-4-2 with Buteera anchoring the midfield. At first it seamed like a crazy move – to narrow your back-line and create space either side of the full backs – particularly at a stage when Sudan’s new found width was causing Rwanda such problems. But ‘Micho’ clearly had faith in the technical ability of his midfield and forward players, to retake control of the game and press Sudan back into their own half.

Micho was right to have this faith, as the Amavubi’s dominated the game afterwards. Sudan’s players became slow in the transition – particularly the wingers – and this allowed Amavubi’s midfielder, Andy Buteera, time and space to dictate the tempo for the rest of the game (see Diagram 3, below,  showing the space given to Buteera, Gasana and Iranzi, as Rwanda took control of the game and pressed for a winner).

On the seventy seventh minute, Amavubi’s captain, Oliver Karekezi,  the tournament’s outstanding player, latched onto a quick throw-in, bustled a Sudan defender out of the way and lashed a thunderous shot, from the tightest of angles, beyond the keeper, into the roof of the net – sending Rwanda into their fifth CECAFA Cup final in ten years.

Rwanda had already qualified for the knock-out round, thanks to wins over host Tanzania (1-0) and Zimbabwe (2-0). Djibouti on the other hand were bottom of the group, heading for their usual early exit, having lost both of their games.

Rwanda’s Serbain coach Milutin Sredojevic fielded the youngest side of the tournament with an average age of just 21 (including three seventeen year olds).

Given Djibouti’s terrible record in the CECAFA Cup (having never won a game in the tournament’s history) Milutin went for an offensive 4-3-3, with the wing backs Ntamuhanga Tumaine and Jean-Claude Iranzi encouraged to pushed forward and the right/left of central midfielders Jean-Baptista Mugiraneza and Andrew Buteera asked to make regular raids forward in support of loan striker Labama Bokota.

Thankfully, for the neutrals watching, Djibouti’s Tunisian manager Gharsalli Noureddine didn’t ‘park the bus’ and went for a 4-4-2, with both banks of four pressing their opposition units. Gharsalli attacking strategy was simple, hit long balls to the front two as early as possible and see if they could combine to creating goalscoring opportunities.

Amavubi’s defensive naivety

The Rwandan’s fluid, attacking 4-3-3 was extremely effective in the opening twenty five minutes of the game. Bokota converted Charles Mwesigye Tibingana cross to put the Amavubi’s ahead after only the second minute. The one/two touch approach play and angled forward runs from the midfielders and wing backs forced the Djiboutian midfield deeper onto the toes of the defensive unit; but crucially began opening up space behind the Rwandan midfield.

After twenty five minutes, with wing backs, midfielders and front three all in the attacking third when in possession, Rwanda’s centre backs, Emery Bayisenge and Ismail Nshutiyamagara began to look exposed. The youngster, showing their naivety, dropped goal side of both Djiboutian strikers and gave the opposition an option to play out from deep defensive areas. Gharsalli, realising the opportunity to create a 2v2 on the break, pressed his centre forwards to receive on the turn and run at the exposed centre backs. The move worked.

With half an hour gone the Rwandan midfield carelessly lost possession, the strikers were fed with quick ball to feet, turned and combined excellently for Ahmed Hassan to level the score. Three minutes later the Rwandan right back, Ntamuhanga Tumaine, who had a terrible first half, lost possession on the halfway line, didn’t track back and allowed a 3v2 Djiboutian overload to run at the Amavubi’s defence. The result… a superbly taken goal from Ahmed Hassan, who caressed a curling shot from the edge of the area into the far right hand corner of the Amavubi’s net.

The Rwandan’s attacking combinations and runs off the ball had become predictable. The team had dominated the early exchanges, but, after conceding the two goals, the young Amavubi’s looked visibly uncomfortable with their tactical set up that overloaded them in attack (congesting the attacking third) and exposed them in defence (see diagram 1 showing the spaces created by not having a traditional DM or centre backs pressing with the rest of the team and playing a deep defensive line).

Tinker time

Milutin had three options at half time; 1. Push his centre back’s Emery Bayisenge and Ismail Nshutiyamagara to play a higher line and attempt to catch the quick and able Djiboutian front two offside, 2. Maintain an attacking system, switch to a back three and provide defensive cover, 3. Drop the central midfield captain Haruna Niyonzima into a deeper role to provide cover to a back three or four and give his team-mates the option to play through him.

Milutin went for the latter (see diagram 2 for how the space was neutralised); removed the downright ineffectual right wing back Ntamuhanga Tumaine and went for a back three of Emery Bayisenge, Ismail Nshutiyamagar and Jean-Claude Iranzi. As extra cover he withdrew Niyonzima into a deeper central midfield role, allowing seventeen year old Andrew Buteera the freedom to move into spaces between the lines.

The tactical shift worked a treat. Rwanda created an overload in the defensive third, allowing them to defend the long ball more effectively and retain possession. Compare the half time possession stats; Rwanda 56%, Djibouti 44%;  to the figures after seventy five minutes; Rwanda 71%, Djibouti 29%.

By withdrawing Niyonzima into a deeper role it also gave the side more depth. The attacking third became less congested and they were able to return to their one/two touch approach play that served them well in the opening twenty five minutes. Niyonzima’s deeper role also allowed them to push the two defenders either side of Nshutiyamagar forward in support, but acting more as full backs than wing backs.

On the fifty eighth minute, and after a period of Rwandan dominance, Jean-Baptista Mugiraneza drew the sides level.

With the balance of power in terms of possession and territory restored Milutin put the final nail in the Djiboutian coffin. That nail came in the form of Oliver Karekezi who hammered in a twenty five minute hat-trick to shatter the Djiboutian dream of a first CECAFA Cup victory.

With most of the competing countries yet again failing to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (only Sudan will ‘represent’ the region at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea) the tournament also gives East African nations an opportunity to develop their national teams’ setups.

As more and more of East Africa’s most talented players spread their wings abroad; to Scandinavia, Asia and Eastern Europe, the tournament has, over the past few years, taken on a more youthful look. In this year’s edition a large majority of the players we will see were representing their countries at Under 20, or in some cases Under 17 level, this time last year.

In addition to giving youth an opportunity, the competition provides coaches with more time to mould and shape their national team’s philosophy and system of play.

So with most nations sending squads made up of unknown youth players it begs the question; which players should we be watching out for in this years competition? Some of the best East African football journalists and Tweeters have given the names of players they expect will stand out, and I’ve complied my own lists, short bio and graphs to fill in the gaps.

UGANDA 

@TheLoveDre

Abbey Dhaira (Goalkeeper) - despite being number one for his Icelandic club side IBV, Abbey usually finds himself warming the bench for the Uganda Cranes. With first choice goalkeeper Denis Onyango now unavailable, Abbey finally has his chance. Still only twenty four, but he has been an ever-present member of Bobby Williamson’s squads.

Mike Mutyaba (Midfielder) – Currently turning heads in the Uganda Super League (USL) with Bunamwaya. Mike made two impressive substitute appearances for Uganda at the recent LG Cup. A slight, right footed attacking midfielder with an excellent skill set, capable of playing across the attacking line of three in a 4-2-3-1. Pacy and direct, Mike is definitely a player to watch out for.

Moses Oloya (Winger/Forward) – Plying his trade in Vietnam with Saigon Xuan Thanh F.C. Moses is a stocky right winger with a good turn of pace and eye for goal. His ability to make effect runs beyond the forward line could be useful to the way Uganda operate going forward.

Emma Okwi (Striker) – Has been in sparkling form for his club and current Tanzania Premier League (TPL) leaders Simba. But Emma failed to shine in the recent LG Cup and drew criticism for what was deemed a lethargic outing for the young striker. With lead forward Brian Umony now unlikely to feature, Bobby could well turn to Emma as his loan striker in a 4-2-3-1. Emma does his best work front to goal, and will need to work on his effectiveness with his back to goal if he is going to combine with midfielder runners and help lead the Cranes to CECAFA Cup success.

KENYA

@Claudshavin

Jamal Mohammed ‘Malo Malo’ (Midfielder) - A gifted midfielder with an excellent range of passing, albeit a bit of a showboater. Can frustrate and amaze in equal measures but the twenty six year old is an undoubted talent. If he doesn’t entertain on the pitch then he certainly will off it!

@MichKatami

Brian Mandela (Defender): The new kid in Kenya’s defensive block. A promising, solid and dependable centre back. Brian’s form has been one of the main reasons why club side Tusker FC have the best defensive record in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) this season and look set to clinch the title on Saturday.

Kevin Kimani (Winger): Has been in outstanding form for Mathare United of late, scored two and assisting the other in a 3-3 draw with Western Stima. What Kimani lacks in pace he makes up for with an array of stepovers and outstanding delivery from wide areas. Opposition goalkeepers would best be advised to sort out decent defensive walls when Kevin’s around; he’s a bit of a dead ball specialist.

Humphrey Mieno (Midfielder) – A midfield kingpin for Kenyan side Sofapaka, Humphrey is an energetic midfielder with excellent awareness of space and range of passing. Was set to join Tunisian side Club Africain earlier this year before the move fell through.

Stephen Waruru (Forward) – Scored twelve goals for reigning KPL champions Ulinzi Stars this season. He’s a speedy, technically competent, forward who’s effective anywhere along a front three in a 4-3-3. Another forward who does his best work when facing goal.

Paul Were (Forward/Winger) -The erratic genius. The powerful left winger is prone to moment of brilliance, mixed with moment of… nothingness. Paul’s been in good form for Tusker this season and took his chance when Harambee Stars coach Francis Kimanzi surprised many by starting him against Seychelles in a recent World Cup 2014 pre-qualifier. Has shown signs of maturity in recent months and it’ll be interesting to see if Kimanzi can get the best out of him in Tanzania.

@BrainlessBull 

Eric Masika (Defender) – Despite the ever-present off field drama that surrounds Eric’s club side Gor Mahia, he has been one of their most consistent performers this season. A quick, technically solid centre back who’s excellent passing over distance should give Kenya a direct route out of defence.

TANZANIA 

Mbwana Samata (Striker) - The nineteen year old striker joined African giants TP Mazembe earlier in the year and has already made an impression with the four time African Campions League winners. Predominantly a right footed striker you’ll see Mbwana drifts into wide areas, particularly on the left before cutting in on the angle.

Erasto Nyoni (Defender/Midfielder) – A vital cog in the defensive rock that is Azam FC, a side with the joint meanest defence in the TPL. A product of the Rolling Stones Academy in Arusha, the now twenty three year old can operate as a centre back, central midfielder or full back (although he’s usually deployed as a midfielder for Tanzania’s Taifa Stars). Erasto reads the game very well, has a good range of passing and will likely be the man who sets the Taifa Stars tempo in the CECAFA Cup.

Mrisho Ngassa (Winger) - Became one of the TPL’s most expensive players of all time when he moved from Yanga to Azam FC. A speedy winger with a low centre of gravity who can operate on either flank, a surprisingly good deliverer of the ball, but can struggle with his decision making. Some Manchester United fans may be familiar with him after he made a fleeting 15 minutes appearance against Man Utd for the Seattle Sounders whilst on trial in the Emerald City earlier in the year.

RWANDA 

Olivier Karekezi (Forward/Winger) – Now in his late twenties, Oliver Karekezi is a vastly experienced Rwandan international. After successful spells in Sweden and Norway, Oliver returned to the Rwandan Primus League with current champions and boyhood club APR FC. Not the quickest player off the mark but makes up for it with a solid skill set and good vision. Can operate anywhere across a front three or behind a main striker.

Emery Bayisenge (Defender) – Was part of the Rwanda Under 17′s that surprised many in reaching the Under 17 World Cup in Mexico earlier this year. The teenage centre back is yet to pick up a professional contract as he continues to develop in the Rwandan Football Federations (FERWAFA) Academy. His performances in Mexico highlighted how well the young centre back reads the game and his timing in the challenge is excellent. The areas of concern for him in the CECAFA Cup will be his tendency to mark tight and his slight of build which could see him turned easily by stronger and more experienced international strikers.

Andrew Buteera (Midfielder) - Another member of the Rwanda Under 17 team, Andrew currently plies his trade in the USL with Proline FC. Has an outstanding first touch and a good range of passing. His decision making can be laboured at times meaning he struggles in confined midfield scenarios. Despite this he was the most impressive member of the Rwandan Under 17 World Cup team.

Charles Tibinagana (Forward/Winger) - The tricky winger who could find himself supporting Karekezi in a front three for Rwanda. The teenage Proline FC winger drew many plaudits for his performances in the Africa Under 17 Championship which saw hosts Rwanda finish second. He’s a direct and confident winger who operates best down the flanks.

BURUNDI

Faty Papy (Midfielder) - hailed as the ‘saviour’ of Burundi football at the tender age of 15 when he signed for Turkish giants Trabzonspor. Not surprisingly, considering the pressure heaped onto the teenager, Faty failed to settle in Turkey and after failing to make a single appearance for Trabzonspor moved on loan to Dutch side MVV in 2009. Despite a good season in Holland, Faty was released by Trabzonspor at the end of last season prompting a return to Africa. The beneficiaries; APR FC of Rwanda. Now 21 the graceful central midfielder will hopefully be allowed to develop in a more familiar environment, under less pressure. The CECAFA Cup could be the right tournament, at the right time, for Faty Papy.

ETHIOPIA 

Saladin Said (Striker) - Scored five goals in a single game for previous club St George against Ports FC in the CECAFA Kagame Club Cup earlier this year. The twenty three year old’s impressive performances in said competition earned him a move to Egyptian side Eadi Degla, in the process the Egyptian club made Saladin the most expensive Ethiopian footballer of all time. He’s not the quickest striker, but comes alive in the 18 yard box.

Abebaw Butako (Defender/Midfielder) - Versatile defensive player who can operate as a centre back or as a deep lying midfielder. He’s a pretty tasty free kick taker as well.

Umed Ukri (Forward, via @AdilG) -Umed was Ethiopia’s stand out performer in the 2010 CECAFA Cup, a technically gifted forward who works best just off a main striker. His awareness of space between defensive and midfield lines is excellent and will likely be Ethiopia’s attacking conduit.

SUDAN

Haitham Mustafa (Midfielder) – The old timer in Sudan’s midfield, now 34, captain Haitham Mustafa is the heartbeat of the Sudanese side and has played close to 120 games for the Falcons of Jediane. Despite his slight stature Haitham is a fiery character more than capable of sweeping up in front of his back four with force. Has a rather limited range or passing but he knows his limitations and plays to his strengths.

Mudathir El Tahir (Forward) - one of Sudan’s more flamboyant players, operates behind a front striker and at his best drifting wide and cutting in on the diagonal. El Tahir plays his club football in Sudan with Al Hilal, still only twenty three with bags of potential.

You can follow events as they unfold at the CECAFA Cup by following the Tweeters above or saving the hashtag #CECAFA2011

Stewart Hall‘s turbulent time as manager of the Zanzibar National Team came to an abrupt end before the weekend when he was fired by the Zanzibar Football Association (ZFA).

The ZFA have moved quickly in replacing him, announcing at the same time the appointment of Egyptian coach Abdelfatah Abbas.

The change in coaches couldn’t have come at a worse time for Zanzibar as they prepare for this years’ CECAFA Cup, the prestigious regional tournament for East and Central African nations, slated to kick off in less than a weeks time.

The reason given by the ZFA for Stewart Hall’s departure is unfortunate, unprofessional and a slightly comical.

The Zanzibar National Team had recently taken part in a pre-CECAFA Cup training camp in Cairo, Egypt. With several friendlies lined up, Hall was scheduled to linkup with the squad, in Cairo, a few days after the Zanzibar Heroes had arrived. Alas, the ZFA say Hall never showed up in Cairo.

Speaking from Zanzibar’s Bwawani Plaza Hotel to IPP Media, the ZFA spokesman, Hafidh Ali Tahir, confirmed Hall’s contract had been terminated and commented on the Englishman’s “poor commitment to his job, particularly his no show in Cairo”.

He went on to say; “Hall has shown a high level of irresponsibility and there is no way ZFA would have tolerated him and avoided sacking”.

So what was the reason for Stewart Hall no show in Cairo? ZFA claim the excuse given by the Englishman was that his passport was full and thus he had no room for an Egyptian visa.

Hall is still in charge of Tanzanian Premier League side Azam FC, his sacking by the ZFA brings to an end a difficult period in charge of the Heroes, who were not enamoured when the former Birmingham City academy director took charge of Azam earlier this year, whilst remaining in charge of the national side.