Three women’s teams from the CECAFA Zone were engaged in different international matches last weekend.

Kenya’s Harambee Starlets who are taking part in the 2024 Pink Ladies Cup in Turkey suffered their second defeat on Saturday.

After losing 1-0 to Chinese Taipei in their first match, Kenya suffered a 4-0 defeat to Russia. Kenya will play their last match against Phillipines on October 30th.

On Sunday Twiga Stars of Tanzania settled for a 1-1 draw against Senegal in a match played at the Bchir Mohammed Stadium in Morocco.

China based forward Opah Clement Tukumbuke netted in the first half, but the Senegal team earned a late penalty converted by Nguenar.

The Tanzanian team under the watchful eyes of coach Hilda Masanche lost their first match 4-1 to hosts Morocco few days ago.

In another international friendly match played Uganda Crested Cranes beat hosts DR Congo in another International friendly match played at the Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa on Sunday.

Indian based forward Fazila Ikwaput and Sylvia Kabene who was making her debut for the national team netted two second half goals, while the hosts also scored one. The two teams will again face-off on October 30^th in a second match.

Kenya’s Harambee Starlets have lost their opening match in the 2024 Pink Ladies Cup on-going in Turkey.

Coach Beldine Odemba’s side lost 1-0 to Chinese Taipei in a match played on Wednesday at the Emirhan Stadium.

Lee Yi-wen capitalized on Zeng Yunya’s assist to score from close range after 19 minutes when the Kenyan defenders failed to clear their lines.

Later the Kenyan team improved and intensified their search for goals. Lorna Nyabuto and Fasila Adhiambo had chances to score for Kenya, but failed to fired off target.

Kenya’s team will face Russia on Saturday in their second match, and end against Phillipines on October 30^th.

The four team tournament has given Kenya chance to test new players at the international stage against teams from Asia and Europe.

Meanwhile, Tanzania and Uganda’s women’s national teams will also be involved in two international friendly matches each before the end of the month. Tanzania will play against Morocco and Senegal, while Uganda will play two matches against DR Congo in Kinshasa.

The President of Ethiopia H.E Taye Atske Selassie has made it clear that the country will bid to host the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2029.

Selassie was speaking during the CAF 46th Ordinary General Assembly at Sky Light Hotel in Addis Ababa on Tuesday.

He made it clear that Ethiopia is proud to be part of the establishment of CAF back in 1957. “We are heavily investing in sports development and infrastructure, and when given chance we would want to host AFCON 2029,” added The President.

“I take this opportunity to request CAF to endorse Ethiopia to host AFCON 2029,” ended the Ethiopian President Selassie.

Earlier in his remarks, the Ethiopia Football Federation (EFF) President who is also a member of the CAF Executive Committee, Isayas Jira Bosho expressed Ethiopia’s desire to host continental tournaments starting with AFCON 2029.

During the Press Conference after the Assembly, CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe made it clear that he will be proud to see Ethiopia submit their bid to host AFCON 2029. “I encourage the government of Ethiopia and the Ethiopia Football Federation to submit their proposal. Every proposal will be looked at with fairness,” added Dr. Motsepe.

He further continued to point out that Ethiopia is blessed to be led by people who love Football like the Prime Minister. “I wish Ethiopia the very best in their bid to host AFCON 20229,” added the CAF President.

Although Ethiopia last hosted the AFCON in 1976, the CECAFA Zone will have the opportunity to host the AFCON 2027 in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. The three countries are also slated to host the TotalEnergies Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025.

Hosts Ethiopia defeated Uganda 1-0 to win the 2024 Dire Mayor Cup in the final played at the Diredawa International Stadium on Sunday evening.

Benjamin Ayton netted the lone goal after 69 minutes to give the hosts the lead infront of fairly big crowd.

Although Uganda’s U-20 team preparing for the forth coming African Games 2024 in Ghana created some good scoring chances, they failed to make them count.

“ I am happy that despite the defeat the boys played well with good passing and now we must improve in finishing,” said Uganda Hippos coach Morley Byekwaso.

The Dire Mayor Cup was sponsored by Gofere, an Ethiopian-based sportswear brand. The other teams that were expected to take part in the invitational tournament but later pulled out included Djibouti and South Sudan.