East Africa: Crested Uganda's Cranes Playing to Finish Third in Cecafa

By Makhtum Muziransa

Kampala — Coach Majidah Nantanda will today hope her Crested Cranes can prove that they have put behind their psychological fears when they play Ethiopia in the third place play-off of the Cecafa Women Championship in Njeru.

Though Nantanda reached her minimum target of making the semi-finals, she was left bewildered by how her side felt lifeless in a 4-1 defeat to an efficient Tanzania side. Now they must face another side she regards as the best in this region in Ethiopia.

"The girls are playing well, we have no issues with fitness, they are tactically at a good level but ours is a psychological problem," Nantanda explained after their semi-final ordeal against a side that has been the most active female side in the region in the past six years.

"If we have no competitions, the players will fear. So this is what happens in every big game but by playing against the biggest teams in the region we have scored," she added.

There is no doubt that in today's encounter, Nantanda will again hinge on hope to get them past an Ethiopia side that combines possessive football and athleticism.

Meanwhile, Tanzania coach Sebastian Nkoma, set the tone for the finals when he declared that Kenya, who are Cecafa's only representatives at next month's Africa Cup, are not experienced enough to win today.

Cecafa Women's Championship

Today in Njeru, 3rd Place Play off

Uganda vs Ethiopia

1.30pm

Final

Kenya v Tanzania

3.30pm

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