Simba SC have bagged $1 million after settling for second place in the 2024/2025 Total Energies CAF Confederation Cup.

After losing the first leg 2-0 away to Morocco’s RS Berkane, the Tanzania Premier League side put up a gallant show to draw 1-1 in the return leg played at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar on Sunday to loose 3-1 on aggregate.

Simba SC started on a high attacking in numbers and dominating play before taking the lead after 17 minutes. A well delivered assist by Elie Mpanzu was enough for Joshua Mutale to score and send the fans wild.

The Tanzanian side continued to press the Moroccan side with Ugandan International Steven Mukwala and right full back Shomari Kapombe keeping their defenders busy.

After recess Simba SC’s Yusuph Kagoma was sent off after 55 minutes after picking a second yellow card. The card gave the visitors as advantage. But Simba SC thought they had scored a second goal through Mukwala, but the VAR ruled it offside.

With the clock ticking away Soumaila Sidibe leveled matters for RS Berkane with a low drive to beat Simba SC goalkeeper Moussa Camara.

It was all celebration for the Moroccan side after the final whistle, while Simba SC will also smile away with a $1 million cash prize, while the winners take $2 million.

Another Tanzanian Premier League side Young Africans SC suffered defeat to USM Alger in the final of the 2022/2023 TotalEnergies CAf Confederations Cup.

The Eritrean National team will play two international matches against Niger and South Sudan between May 26-28^th, 2025.

International Football will be returning to Eritrea after five years when they last hosted a match.

The Eritrean National Football Federation (ENFF) has announced that the Red Sea Boys will face Niger in the first friendly match at the National Stadium in Asmara on May 26^th, and later take on South Sudan two days later.

Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam, President of the Eritrea National Football Federation (ENFF) told Cecafaonline that they are very happy to be hosting two national teams in Asmara.

“Our people have missed watching international Football in Asmara and we thank the Football Federations of Niger and South Sudan for accepting to send their teams,” added Andemariam.

Niger will use the International friendly ties to prepare for the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHA) which will be hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania starting in August this year.

The upcoming International friendlies will also be used to bring back International Football in the country, but to celebrate African unity. The matches will be played under the theme of “Independence Through Solidarity”.

Malawi will send a team to the inaugural 2025 CECAFA Beach Soccer Championship slated for June 6-11^th in Mombasa, Kenya.

“Malawi have confirmed that they will take part in the CECAFA Beach Soccer Championship next month,” Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Director confirmed on Wednesday.

The Championship which will kick start the 2025 CECAFA season will take place at the Pirates Beach. “We are excited that a guest side from another Zone will be taking part and we are still in talks with another country to send a team,” added Mossi.

He explained that depending on the number of teams, the Championship is likely to be played on a round robin basis so that teams can also have as many matches as possible.

“From the CECAFA Zone we already have Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Zanzibar who have confirmed participation,” added Mossi.

After the Beach Soccer Championship, the Zone will organize the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, CECAFA Dar Port-Kagame Cup, CAF U-17 Zonal qualifier, CAF African Schools Football Championship Zonal Qualifier, CAF Women’s Champions League Zonal Qualifier and the CECAFA Women’s Challenge Cup.

Jamus Sports Club have retained the Zain South Sudan Cup edging El Merriekh SC Bentiu in the final played on Tuesday.

After the two teams failed to find the goals in the allotted 90 minutes at the Juba National Stadium, Jamus SC came out top winning 4-2 on penalty shoot-outs.

Jamus goalkeeper Majak Mawit Maling stopped two penalties to ensure his team recorded yet another win against their arch rivals.

Jamus head coach Jean Claude Loboko praised his players for winning the Cup. “Lifting this Cup means a lot to us as we now turn focus to the South Sudan Premier League,” added Loboko, also voted best coach of the competition.

Jamus SC secured a place in the final after ejecting Koryrom FC 2-0, while El Merriekh SC Bentiu saw off Aweil United FC 5-0.

The win also granted Jamus SC the opportunity to represent South Sudan at the CECAFA Dar Port Kagame Cup 2025 expected to take place in July in Tanzania.

Although they are placed third Jamus SC will also have a chance to win a double as they are unbeaten in the South Sudan Premier League.

The Awards ceremony was graced by the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) President and Acting President of CECAFA, Augustino Parek Maduot, and other dignitaries.

Zain South Sudan are the sponsors of the 2024/2025 Zain South Sudan Cup which attracted over 30 teams.