Somalia Premier League reigning champions, Mogadishu City Club have picked their first point in the on-going CECAFA Kagame Cup 2025.

The Mogadishu City Club held the 2024 bronze medal winners and Sudan Premier League giants Al Hilal Omdurman to a 1-1 in a Group C match played at the Gen. Isamuhyo Stadium on Thursday.

Khadohi Marka Kawasira gave Mogadishu City Club the lead from the spot after 19 minutes. Al Hilal’s defender fouled in the box and the referee from Rwanda Celestin Nsabimana pointed to the spot for a penalty.

Kawasira sent the Al Hilal Omdurman goalkeeper Ali Abbdalla the wrong side. But the Sudan champions did not give up and pushed forward with Emmanuel Elomo and and Kindness Cole coming close to scoring.

After only five minutes Emmanuel Elomo leveled matters for Al Hilal Omdurman. The Sudan team dominated most of the second half, but Mogadishu City Club defended in numbers.

“I am very happy that we played against an experienced team and managed to get a point. We shall keep working hard in the other matches to be played in the group,” said Mogadishu City Club coach Dadir Amin Ali.

In an earlier Group C match South Sudan’s Kator FC settled for a goalless draw against Alahly SC Wad Madani (Sudan).

Kator FC who finished second in the 2024/2025 South Sudan Premier League created more scoring opportunities than their opponents, but lacked the sharpness.

Action continues on Friday with Ethiopian Coffee SC facing Garde Cotes FC (Djibouti), while Kenya Police FC take on Singida Black Stars FC in Group A matches at the KMC Stadium.

Kenya Police FC have made a winning start in the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2025.

The Kenya Premier League reigning champion humbled Garde Cotes FC 4-0 in the first Group A match played at the Gen. Isamuhyo Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Eric Zakayo gave Kenya Police FC the lead after 19 minutes, and David Simiyu scored the second goal 15 minutes later.

Mourad Med Omar also had an opportunity to pull a goal back for the Djibouti Premier League side, but missed the target by inches.

In the second half Garde Gotes tried to defend better, but failed to stop the Kenyan team.

Baraka Badi and Edward Omondi added two more goals for the Kenya Police FC side.

Etienne Ndayiragije, the Kenya Police FC head coach said he was happy with the win. “I am very excited getting a big win in the opening match of the tournament,” added Ndayiragije.

In the second Group A match a 10-man Ethiopian Coffee SC team held Tanzania Premier League side Singida Black Stars FC to a goalless draw.

After a goalless firsts half, the two teams came all out to try and find the goals, but to no avail. Ethiopian Coffee SC goalkeeper Ibrahim Donald was was sent off after 51 minutes after he tackled a Singida Black Stars FC player outside the box.

Action continues on Wednesday with two Group B matches at the KMC Stadium. Last year’s finalists APR FC (Rwanda) will face Bumamuru FC (Burundi), while KMC FC (Tanzania) battle Mlandege FC (Zanzibar) in the second match.

Head coach Miguel Angel Gamondi will be hoping to make a winning start when Singida Black Stars FC kick start their CECAFA Kagame Cup 2025 campaign against Ethiopian Coffee SC on Tuesday.

The Group A match will take centre stage at the Gen. Isamuhyo Stadium. But before Gamondi’s side take to the field, Kenya Police FC will take on Djibouti’s Garde Cotes FC in the opening Group A tie.

Gamondi, the former Young Africans SC coach who signed for Singida Black Stars FC few weeks ago says he is excited that his team will have the opportunity to play in such a tournament.

“It gives me chance to test several players as we prepare for the CAf Confederation Cup and the new season in Tanzania,” added Gamondi.

New signing and Zambian international Clatous Chota Chama who moved from Young Africans SC is expected to play pivotal role for the Singida Black Stars FC team, together with another new signing Khalid Aucho who will join the team after national duties with the Uganda Cranes.

Abiy Kassahun, the Ethiopian Coffee SC coach also made it clear that playing at the CECAFA Kagame Cup is a great opportunity to test other top sides in the region. “We ready for the tournament and it will give my players good exposure and experience,” added Kassahun.

For the opening match Kenya Police FC head Coach Etienne Ndayiragije says they will be all out to try and make a good start in the tournament. “It is always good to win the opening match in such tournaments,” added the Burundian.

The CECAFA Kagame Cup 2025 which has attracted 12 teams has Betika as the official sponsor. Times FM from Tanzania also joined as partners, while the President of Rwanda Paul Kagame continues to support the tournament.

The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) has signed a partnership with one of the leading betting companies, Betika to be the official sponsors of the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2025/2026.

CECAFA and Betika signed the agreement during a ceremony held on Thursday morning at the Pan Pacific Suites in Nairobi, Kenya.

CECAFA Vice President Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam said: “We are pleased to enter a partnership with Betika. With Betika joining as the official sponsor, we are taking this great tournament into a new era. This partnership reflects the power of collaboration between football and the private sector, and it demonstrates the confidence that a leading brand like Betika has in the value and potential of CECAFA competitions,” added Weldehaimanot.

Mutua Mutava, the Betika Group CEO said he was happy with the partnership. “Today, we announce a landmark sponsorship of 42 million Kenya Shillings for the CECAFA Kagame Cup, cementing Betika’s place as official sponsor of this prestigious tournament for the 2025/2026 season. This is not just a sponsorship: it is a statement of belief in the power of Football to unite, inspire, and transform communities,” said Mutava

As part of the Agreement, Betika will receive premium brand exposure across all CECAFA platforms, including in-stadium branding and digital activation campaigns.

The CECAFA Kagame Cup 2025/2026 with Betika as the official sponsor will take place September 2-15th in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Twelve top teams in the CECAFA Zone will feature in the competition.

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CECAFA | Communication Department