NEWS
CECAFA Kagame Cup: Nyasa Big Bullets coach warns Azam ahead of semi final
Malawi’s Nyasa Big Bullets FC have warned that they are prepared to jump the semi final hurdle this evening and make it to the final of the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2021.
The guest side will face Tanzania’s Azam FC in the second semi final match to be played at the Azam Complex, Chamazi.
Express FC, Uganda’s League champions edged KMKM SC (Zanzibar) 2-1 yesterday to book a place in the final.
Peter Mponda, the Nyasa Big Bullets coach told Cecafaonline that the team is prepared and has no injury worries.
“We believe we had a fairly good run in the three matches we played in the group stages where we won one and drew two. We are ready to go against Azam and we believe a place is waiting for us in the final,” added Mponda.
Chiukepo Msowoya who has netted two goals already side together with Nigerian Babatunde Adepoju will lead the Nyasa Big Bullets attack.
But the Azam FC coach Viver Bahati has made it clear that after losing 3-2 in their last group game to KMKM SC, they are coming all out to prove a point against the Malawian side. “We know what to expect in the semi final stage, but we are well prepared,” added Bahati.
Azam FC who will represent Tanzania in the 2021/2022 CAF Confederation Cup picked two wins against KCCA FC (Uganda) and Le Messager Ngozi (Burundi) and one defeat in the group stages of the tournament.
The home side will look to striker Iddy Kipangwe who has already netted two goals, Ally Awesu and Paul Peter to hunt for the goals.
Yusuf Mosi, the CECAFA Competitions manager said they are happy with the standard of play shown in this tournament. “We are sure the teams that participated in this tournament have got good preparations ahead of the CAF competitions that kick-off next month.
The playoff and final of the CECAFA Kagame Cup will be played on August 14th.
The President of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam has reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the development of women referees across the CECAFA Zone.
Andemariam said this while meeting referees and match instructors officiating at the on-going CAF Women’s Champions League Zonal qualifier at the Gorilla Gold Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda on Sunday.
He commended the referees for the professionalism, teamwork and commitment they have demonstrated throughout the competition. The CECAFA President encouraged the female referees to remain ambitious and continue working towards the highest levels of the game, including becoming FIFA referees and earning appointments at major continental competitions.
He informed the officials that CECAFA has already initiated discussions with CAF aimed at strengthening the resources and development support available to CECAFA Member Associations. Andemariam further assured them that CECAFA will continue pursuing new sponsors and strategic partners to create more opportunities for women across the game. He also announced that CECAFA intends to start a dedicated women referees’ VAR development course in 2027.
Josephine Wanjiku, a referee from Kenya who also officiated at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 thanked the CECAFA President for the visit, and requested for a women’s only VAR course to equip them better.
Jean Sseninde, the CECAFA Interim Executive Director Jean Sseninde, reiterated the Secretariat’s commitment to implementing the strategic direction of the CECAFA leadership and continuing to create an enabling environment for women to progress across technical and administrative areas of football.
CA U-20 Africa Cup of Nations CECAFA qualifiers
Nine teams for CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations CECAFA qualifiers
Nine teams have registered to take part in the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.
The regional qualifier will take place September 16-30th,2026 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Manager confirmed that the nine teams have entered, and only Eritrea and Somalia will miss out.
“The draw for the competition will take place on August 31st at the Kigali Pele Stadium in the Rwanda capital Kigali at 10.30am. We shall have three groups with three teams each. The top team in each group and the best second placed team from any group will qualify for the semi-final stage,” added Mossi.
He further explained that the best two teams will qualify to represent the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Zone at the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
Tanzania are the defending champions after defeating Kenya 2-1 in the final during the 2024 Zonal qualifiers held at the KMC Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Eight teams from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) have been drawn for the TotalEnergies U-23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifiers.
In the draw conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Egypt on Tuesday, the eight teams have all been drawn to start in the first round.
Kenya have drawn Tanzania, while Djibouti takes on South Sudan. The other fixtures will see Ethiopia take on Uganda, and Rwanda battle Sudan. The first leg matches of the first round will be played on September 28th, while the return legs will take place October 6th.
The winner between Ethiopia and Uganda over two legs will qualify to face Morocco in the second round of the qualifiers in November this year.
Senegal will await to face the winner between Djibouti and South Sudan in the second round, while the winner between Kenya and Tanzania will line-up against Cote D’Ivoire in the next round. The winner between Rwanda and Sudan will take on Cameroon in the second round.
A total of 43 nations will be engaged in the U-23 AFCON qualifiers, with hosts Egypt automatically qualified for the finals in 2027.
The remaining 42 teams will compete for seven places at the continental showpiece through three rounds of home-and-away qualifying ties that end in March 2027.
First round matches for CECAFA teams
Kenya Vs Tanzania
Djibouti Vs South Sudan
Ethiopia Vs Uganda
Rwanda Vs Sudan
Uganda Cranes attacking midfielder Allan Okello has completed a move to Morocco’s Premier League – Botola Pro side, AS FAR Rabat.
The 26-year old was unveiled by the Club on Friday. He joins the Moroccan side on a three year deal.
“I am very excited to join a big team like AS FAR. I promise to do my best to help the team to win titles,” added Okello.
Okello moves from Tanzania Premier League side Young Africans SC who he only joined late last year.
The midfielder delivered a commendable performance netting 14 goals and 8 assists in the seven months he spent with the Tanzanian Champions.
Before joining Young Africans SC, Okello also helped Vipers SC win a double in the 2024/2025 season.
Okello returns to North Africa having featured for Algeria’s Premier League side between 2020-2023.
In Uganda Okello made his breakthrough in School Football before joining Premier League side KCCA FC who he helped reach the group stage of the 2028/2029 CAF Champions League.
The attacking midfielder is also remembered for missing a penalty in a crucial group match against Tanzania at the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
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