The assistant coach of the Eritrean team Yohannes Tesfay Giday has said they must defend well against Burundi today.

Eritrea will battle Burundi in a B match at the on-going regional CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup at the Bahir Dar Stadium in Ethiopia.

In the opening match Eritrea settled for a 3-3 draw against hosts Ethiopia. But Giday says they have a chance to play a better game today and pick maximum points

“We cannot underrate any team, but we must play better football today and be able to defend well,” added the assistant coach.

Ali Suleiman Ibrahim will be hungry to increase his goal tally in the tournament after he netted a hat-trick against Ethiopia.

But Burundi’s coach Jimmy Ndayizeye says they are also determined to make a good start to the tournament. “We need to be careful with Eritrea because they are a good attacking team,” he said.

Victory for Eritrea’s U-23 team will increase their chances of making it to the semi final stage. The regional tournament which will climax on July 30th has attracted nine teams.