NEWS
Africa has Football talent, says Rwanda President Paul Kagame
The President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame has made it clear that there is a lot of football talent in the African continent.
“Africa has talent. There’s no doubt about it but our best players should not need to always move abroad to unleash their full potential,” said Kagame after receiving the CAF President’s Outstanding Achievement Award 2022 in a function that took place at the Serena Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda.
Kagame together with His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco where recognized by CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe in their effort and contribution towards developing the game on the continent.
Dr. Motsepe who was accompanied by the FIFA President Gianni Infantino conferred the Awards to Kagame and the representative of King Mohammed VI and Minister of Education, Preschool and Sports, Chakib Benmoussa. The event was also attended by some Member Association Presidents and legends.
In his acceptance speak, the Rwanda President who has supported Football in the continent and has also financially supported the regional CECAFA Club Championship for over 10 years said he was happy to receive the Award with both hands.
He pointed out that throughout their struggles in Rwanda’s history, football has played a key role in uniting people. But he made it clear that a lot of effort is needed so that the best football talent in Africa does not go abroad. Kagame commended the work being done by CAF president Motsepe and FIFA head Infantino to develop the sport on the continent.
On behalf of the King of Morocco, Benmoussa thanked the CAF President for the Award and also announced that the Kingdom of Morocco has decided, together with Spain and Portugal to present a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup.
Dr. Motsepe said it was a special day for African football where two individuals who have contributed greatly to the development of football as a sport, were recognized.
“This ceremony today is in acknowledgment of the significant manner in which they have contributed to the development of African football,” he said, pointing out that in order for African football to progress further, partnership is needed among the 54 African nations.
Rwanda will also host the 73rd FIFA Congress at the BK Arena in Kigali 16th, March 2023.
The management of the Council of East and central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) is attending the Annual Zonal Union Tactical Workshop in Cairo, Egypt.
Jean Sseninde, the Interim Executive Director of CECAFA is leading the team at the workshop.
All six Zones are well represented in the workshop organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that started on Tuesday and ends on October 28th at the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) premises in Giza.
Sarah Mukuna, the CAF Director of Member Associations on Tuesday welcomed all the participants from all Zones to the workshop.
She made it clear that workshop is aligned with the vision of CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe of Making Football in CAF’s 54 Member Associations world-class and self-supporting.
The workshop is focusing mainly on the strategic direction, CAF priorities and Zonal alignment, and also the delivery, implementation and accountability.
The workshop will also develop practical implementation plans for the 2027–2028 period, ensuring that CAF’s strategic priorities are translated into clear objectives, measurable targets and defined accountability.
The programme will be structured around four key pillars: Football Development, Programmes and Projects for Capacity Building, Administration and competition Management
“We are very happy as a Zone that we are attending this strategic workshop and it will benefit us a lot as we share our best practices and also have the opportunity to learn from other Zones and draw strategic plans for the 2027-2028 period,” says the CECAFA Interim Executive Director Sseninde.
The CECAFA Zone is also represented by Deogratias Meso (Finance Director), Veronica Lusichi Bwamula (Safeguarding Focal Point and Head of Administration), Yusuf Mossi (Competitions Manager), and Andrew Oryada (Head of Marketing and Communications.
Tanzanian Premier League sides Azam FC and Singida Black Stars FC have qualified for the group stage of the 2026/2027 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.
In the matches played last weekend Singida Black Stars FC settled for a 1-1 draw in a return leg second preliminary round match against Tusker FC (Kenya) to advance on a 2-1 goal aggregate.
The Brewers went into the game seeking to overturn a 1-0 deficit suffered in the first leg in Nairobi a fortnight ago.
Singida Black Stars took the lead after 67 minutes through Jonathan Sowah at the Azam Complex. Victor Mbaoma equalised for Tusker after 81 minutes.
For a second successive season Azam FC also progressed to the group stage after stopping Egypt’s ZED 1-0 in a match played at the Azam Complex on Saturday.
Iddy Nado netted the lone goal after 66 minutes to hand coach Florent Ibenge a win and qualify on a 2-1 goal aggregate.
Uganda’s Kitara FC also failed to progress to the the next round of the competition losing 4-0 away to powerhouse Al Ahly of Egypt in match played on Sunday at the Cairo International Stadium. The African giants went on to qualify on a 6-1 goal aggregate.
Ethiopia’s Welwalo Adigrat also suffered a 4-1 away defeat to Al Ahli Tripoli in Libya to bow out on an 8-1 goal aggregate. After losing the first leg 2-0 in Kigali, Rwanda’s Premier League side Rayon Sports FC managed to pick a 2-2 draw away to Black Bulls FC, but failed to progress to the next stage.
Azam FC and Singida Black Stars FC who are making their second successive appearance in the group stage will now await the draw for the group stage that will be conducted by CAF on October 28th in Cairo, Egypt.
Collected results for CECAFA teams
Al Ahly 4 Kitara FC 0
Azam FC 1 ZED 0
Al Ahli Tripoli 4 Welwalo Adrigat 1
Singida Black Stars 1 Tusker FC 1
Black Stars FC 2 Rayon Sports FC 2
Tanzania’s Young Africans SC are the first team to qualify for the group stage of the 2026/2027 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
The Tanzanian giants defeated CFFA (Madagascar) 4-1 in the return leg of the second preliminary round in a match played on Wednesday at Azam Complex in Chamazi, Dar es Salaam.
After a 4-0 win in the first leg and a convincing win in the second leg, Young Africans SC have qualified on an 8-1 goal aggregate.
Ibrahim Kazimoto scored the opener after 27 minutes to give the home side the lead. A second-half brace by Selemani Mwalimu made it 3-0 for Young Africans, before CFFA pulled a goal back after 75 minutes. Later teenager Juma Issa Abushuri scored Young Africans 4th goal.
Manqoba Mngqithi, Young Africans SC’s head coach says he is happy to qualify for the group stage of the competition. “I am happy that we are through to the group stage and now we return to the drawing board to prepare for other matches in the bust season,” says Mngqithi.
In another CAF Champions League match played in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, Simba SC humbled 15 de Agosto 6-1 in the delayed first leg of the second preliminary round.
Ibrahim Doumbia netted a brace, while Nathaniel Chilambo, Elie Mpanzu, Keletso Makgalwa and Anicet Alain Oura scored for the Tanzanian Premier League side. The Equatorial Guinean team netted a consolation goal in added time.
The other second leg matches involving teams from the CECAFA Zone will be played over the weekend. Rwanda’s APR FC will play away to Zamalek, El Merriekh SC Bentiu will battle Pyramids FC, while Al Merrikh (Sudan) host Horoya Ac, all on October 24th.
On Sunday Al Hilal (Sudan) will host Ethiopia’s Sidama Bunna in Kigali, while Simba SC play the return leg against 15 de Agosto also in Dar es Salaam.
The Uganda Cubs are the winners of the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.
Coach Kingston Laryea’s team stopped Somalia 6-5 in penalty shoot-outs of the final played at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Monday.
The two teams created several scoring opportunities, but it was Uganda’s goalkeeper David Ssegirinya who stood firm making two crucial saves in the last five minutes of the match.
During the penalty shoot-outs Ssegirinya again stopped three penalties to ensure Uganda walked away with the trophy. and stopped
It is now Uganda’s third time to win the title in the last six months after also winning in 2020 and 2024.
“I am very happy with the players because we worked so hard topped the group, beat Ethiopia in the semis and now lifted the trophy after winning in the penalties,” said a happy Uganda Cubs coach Laryea.
Henry Muhoozi, Uganda’s captain said it was a very happy moment for him captaining the national team to victory and qualifying for the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. “We are very proud of ourselves and than everyone for the support,” added Muhoozi.
Dadir Amin Ali, the Somalia head coach thanked his players for working hard to qualify for the CAF U-17 AFCON and reaching the final. “As a coach I am very proud of my boys because it has been real hard work,” added Ali.
The qualifiers attracted nine teams after Djibouti pulled out few days to kick-off.
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