Elman FC arrives in Tanzania for CECAFA club tournament
Hiiraan Online
Friday, June 24, 2011
Elman FC, the Somalia league champions had arrived in Darussalam Tanzania this evening to represent Somali Football Clubs in this years CECAFA-KAGAME Club Cup that will kick off on Saturday in Julias Nyerere National Stadium.
Elman is in Group B which is “Group of death” together with huge teams like Tanzanian giants Yanga FC, El Merriekh FC of Sudan and Uganda’s Bunamwaya FC. Yusuf Ali’s boys will kick off their first game in the group stage against Uganda Bunamwaya on Monday.
The club has been in camp in Mogadishu for the last four weeks, preparing for this tournament. Elman’s young boss Yusuf Ali, says that they have been included a group of strong teams, but his boys will perform magnificent football and negotiates with the difficulties.
Speaking to Bar-kulan Radio, Yusuf Ali said “we are going to play, we are in the group of death, look at Elmerrikh and Yanga - they are big teams, but I hope that we can do something good for the team and the country, because I’m confident with my players”
However, Elman club which came from, the world's most dangerous city will have no loyal fans behind them, because of the small number of Somali Community in Tanzania.
The tournament of twelve teams is sponsored by Sudanese company of Elmerrickh Group and Rwanda’s President H.E. Paul Kagame.
Here’s the full draw for the group stage of the CECAFA Club Champions 2011.
Group A: Simba, Vital O’, Etinceles, Ocean Boys
Group B: Yanga, El Merreikh, Bunamwaya, Elman FC
Group C: APR, St George, Ulinzi, Ports
