The Uganda Crested Cranes will play two international friendly matches against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Coach Shryl Ulanda Botes’ side will line-up against the hosts in the first match on October 27^th at the Stade des Martrys, Kinshasa. The second match will take place three days later.

“I am very excited that my team will have this opportunity to play two International friendly matches against DR Congo. These matches will also help us prepare ahead of the regional CECAFA Women’s Championship expected to take place in Ethiopia,” added Botes.

In-from Brazilian based striker Sandra Nabweteme who plies her trade with Santos Laguna Femenil is expected to lead the Crested Cranes attack together with Indian based striker Fazila Ikwaput.

Meanwhile, in an international friendly match played last evening hosts Morocco defeated Tanzania’s Women’s team 4-1. Enekia Kasonga netted Tanzania’s only goal.  Tanzania will next face Senegal on October 27^th in their second international friendly match.

In a related development Kenya’s Harambee Starlets return to action later tonight against Russia in a 2024 Pink Ladies Cup on-going in Turkey. Kenya lost their opening match 1-0 to Chinese Taipei few days ago. Kenya will play their last match against Phillipines on October 30th.

Kenya Premier League reigning champions Gor Mahia FC are set to participate in the 2024 Coal City Invitational Cup 2024 in Nigeria.

The tournament organized by the Enugu State government and with eight teams taking part will take place August 1-11^th at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

Gor Mahia will kick start their campaign against Brazilian side Corinthians Paulista, currently in Brazil’s Serie A, on August 2, 2024. Coach Leonardo Neiva’s side will play their second match against Benin side FC Coton on August 4^th and conclude against Nigerian side Remo Stars two days later.

Gor Mahia, fresh from taking part in the CECAFA Dar Port Kagame Cup in Tanzania will use the tournament to prepare ahead of the start of the 2023/2024 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League first preliminary round match against South Sudan’s El Merriekh Bentiu.

The 2024 competition which will also have prize money at stake for the best teams will feature four teams from Nigeria and four teams from outside the country. The event is powered by the Enugu State Government in conjunction with private sector sponsors and organized by Ski-Hi Entertainment.

Other teams participating in the tournament include FC Kallon of Sierra Leone, Cotton FC from the Republic of Benin, Enyimba FC and Enugu Rangers.

Other teams in the CECAFA Zone will also be in action during the pre-season with Young Africans SC (Tanzania) facing Kaizer Chiefs in the Toyota Cup, while Al Hilal (Sudan) are also expected to play five matches including against ES Sahel and CS Sfaxien during their camp in Tunisia. Simba SC and Azam FC from Tanzania, Kenya Police FC and El Merriekh (Sudan) will also play build-up matches.

Tanzania Premier League reigning champions Young Africans SC have suffered a 2-1 defeat to Germany Bundesliga side FC Augsburg in an international pre-season friendly match played on Saturday in South Africa.

The two teams created some decent scoring chances early with Young Africans goalkeeper Digual Diarra saving Henri Koudosso’s shot, while Azi Ki was also denied by the FC Augsburg goalkeeper.

FC Augsburg continued to push forward looking for the gaps and were rewarded after 37th minutes through Mads Pederson at the Mbombela Stadium in the Mpumalanga province.

After the interval Young Africans SC’s new signing Clatous Chama almost leveled matters, but the FC Augsburg goalkeeper was again up to the task.

Philipe Tietz made it 2-0 for the Germany side after 80 minutes, and DR international Jean Baleke also pulled one back for Young Africans SC with a well-timed header past Daniel Klein.

The Tanzanian giants will play two more matches in South Africa against TS Galaxy and Kaizer Chiefs in the Toyota Cup.

The national team of Sudan defeated Tanzania 2-1 in an international friendly match played last evening in Saudi Arabia.

Aldhayib Abdirizak gave the Sudan team the lead after 11 minutes at the King Fahad Stadium. Issa Vitalis made it 2-0 for Sudan after 27 minutes.

But after the break, the youthful Tanzanian side led by Belgian based professional Kelvin John pushed forward in search of goals. Ahmad Ibrahim Ahmada Hilika pulled out back for Taifa Stars after 80 minutes.

Kwasi Appiah, the Sudan head coach said that he was happy with the opportunity to have the friendly match to help him test the players.

Taifa Stars acting coach Hemed Morocco said his players made some mistakes early in the game, but improved later after recess.

The second friendly match played between the two teams on May 19th ended 1-1.

The two teams are using the friendly matches to prepare ahead of the matches next month for the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. Sudan are placed second in Group B with 4 points, while Tanzania are fourth in Group E with three points in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.