The final draw for the regional CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026 will be held on July 10^th in Kigali, Rwanda.

Twelve teams will be drawn ahead of the tournament slated for July 24^th to August 7^th in the Rwandan capital.

The draw will take place at the Amahoro National Stadium Press Conference room at 10am (Rwanda time). Former Rwandan International and Legend Haruna Niyonzima who also played in several editions of the CECAFA Kagame Cup will assist with the draw.

Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Manager explained that the draw will see four teams each drawn in three groups.

“The top team in each group and the best second placed team from at of the three groups will qualify for the semi final stage,” explained Mossi.

He said the tournament will help teams in the Zone prepare better ahead of the 2026/2027 CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup which kick off in September.

CECAFA has also confirmed Singida Black Stars FC (Tanzania) as the 12^th team in the competition. Last year Singida Black Stars FC defeated Al Hilal in the final, while APR FC finished third when the tournament was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The teams that will be drawn include; APR FC, ⁠Rayon Sport (Rwanda), ⁠Simba SC, Singida Black Stars FC (Tanzania), ⁠Vipers SC (Uganda), ⁠Al Hilal SC, ⁠El Merriekh SC (Sudan), ⁠Gor Mahia FC (Kenya), ⁠Mogadishu City FC (Somalia), ⁠Jamus SC ( South Sudan), ⁠FC Garde Républicaine (Djibouti), ⁠and KVZ FC (Zanzibar)

The Serengeti Boys of Tanzania have defeated Nigeria 3-2 in their opening match of the invitational 4-Nations China International Youth Football tournament in Yinchuan, China.

Issa Chole and Hamisi Chenga gave Tanzania a 2-0 half time lead at the Yinchaun Sports Centre Helanshan Stadium on Sunday.

In the second half, the Golden Eaglets came out with renewed purpose after the interval and were rewarded with a goal. But Tanzania restored their two-goal advantage when Kassim Juma produced a superb finish to make it 3-1.

Nigeria reduced the deficit again a few minutes later. In an earlier match hosts China defeated Australia 3-0.

Action continues on July 8^th with Tanzania facing China, while Australia take on Nigeria. The tournament will end on July 11^th as Tanzania face Australia and China take on Nigeria.

Tanzania are using the 4-Nations Invitational tournament to prepare ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026 to take place in December in Qatar.

Tanzania Premier League side, Simba SC will feature in the regional CECAFA Kagame Cup.

Rwanda will host the tournament slated for July 24^th to August 8^th in Kigali at the Amahoro National Stadium and the Kigali Pele Stadium.

Simba SC who have lifted the regional trophy a record six times return to the event since their last appearance in 2018 where they lost 2-1 to Azam FC.

Jean Sseninde, the Interim Executive Director confirmed that all top teams from the region will play in the tournament. “We are excited that this tournament will give the 12 teams a platform to prepare well ahead of the CAF competitions kicking off in September 2026,” added Sseninde.

She disclosed that the 12th team will be announced on July 6th, 2026. Hosts will be represented by top sides APR FC and Rayon Sports FC.

Three Member Associations Ethiopia, Eritrea and Burundi will not send teams to the CECAFA Kagame Cup. Last year Tanzanian side Singida Black Stars FC stopped Al Hilal SC in the final.

Eleven teams for CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026

APR FC, ⁠Rayon Sport (Rwanda), ⁠Simba SC (Tanzania), ⁠Vipers SC (Uganda), ⁠Al Hilal SC, ⁠El Merriekh SC (Sudan), ⁠Gor Mahia FC (Kenya), ⁠Mogadishu City FC (Somalia), ⁠Jamus SC ( South Sudan), ⁠FC Garde Républicaine (Djibouti), ⁠KVZ FC (Zanzibar)

Tanzania’s U-17 team will feature in a 4-Nation China International Youth Football Tournament 2026.

The Serengeti Boys, fresh from finishing second in the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) traveled to China on Thursday.

Hosts China, Australia, Nigeria and Tanzania will take part in the competition scheduled for the Yinchaun Sports Centre Helanshan Stadium.

Tanzania will open their campaign with a match against the Five-time World U-17 champions Nigeria on July 5^th, and take on hosts China after three days.

“We are happy that the Serengeti Boys have got this opportunity to travel to China and play against different teams as they prepare ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in December,” Wallace Karia, the Tanzania Football Federation President told Xinhua.

The Chinese Football Association, Ningxia Hul Autonomous Region Administration of Sport and Yinchuan Municipal People’s Government are the hosts of the 4-Nation competition. Ningxia Football Association in conjunction with the Yinchuan Sports Bureau, and promoted by the China Football Industry Development Corporation are the organisers.