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.

Tanzania Premier League reigning champions Young Africans SC are the winners of the Toyota Cup.

Young Africans silenced hosts Kaizer Chiefs 4-0 in the match played on Sunday at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

The Tanzanian side dominated play from kick off and almost made it 1-0 after 10 minutes, but Prince Dube missed the target. But the Zimbabwean made amends after 25 minutes tapping in from close range after a defensive blunder by Kaizer Chiefs.

The hosts failed to take their chance after 38 minutes after Ranga Chivaviro was not decisive giving the Young Africans defenders time to clear out of danger. At the stroke of half time Aziz Ki made it 2-0 after utilising Dube’s cross.

In the second half, Kaizer Chiefs made some changes, but Young Africans remained determined to make sure they find more goals. After 12 minutes Young Africans tripled their lead with Clement Mzizii getting his name on the score sheet. Aziz Ki completed his brace to make it 4-0 for the Tanzanian champions five minutes later.

Miguel Gamondi, the Young Africans coach said his team played well and did not give the hosts chance to play. “This has been a good match which prepares us well ahead of the busy season,” added the coach.

Before facing Young Africans, the South Africans side that finished 10^th in the League last season had camped in Turkey where they also beat Al Shahaniya 5-2, and drew 0-0 with Dibba Al-Hisn in pre-season matches. Young Africans SC started their pre-season tour of South Africa with a 2-1 defeat to Germany Bundesliga side, FC Augsbury, but recovered to beat South Africa Premier League side Galaxy FC 1-0.

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.