NEWS
CECAFA Kagame Cup: Uganda’s Express face KMKM SC in first semi final clash
Uganda Premier League champions, Express FC will face KMKM SC in the first semi final of the regional CECAFA Kagame Cup this evening at the Azam Complex, Chamazi.
Coach Wasswa Bbosa’s team topped Group A scoring five goals, while the Zanzibari side KMKM SC needed a 3-2 win their their last game against Azam FC to book a place in the knock out stage.
“The good news is that we are getting better in every game since the tournament started. I know KMKM is a good side, but I am confident that my boys will come up with a good performance to win the game,” said Express FC head coach Bbosa.
Although winger Godfrey Lwesibawa is suspended for Express FC after accumulating two yellow cards, the coach is confident other the other players picked will be up to the task. The coach will welcome back midfielder Abel Eturude who was sent off in the opening match.
Eric Kambale and attacking midfielder Muzamiru Mutyaba who have each netted two goals will be the key players to watch for Express as they drive forward in search for goals.
But the KMKM head coach Ali Vuai Shein says they have what it takes to get to the final. “My players are well motivated to go all out and register a good result to make it to the final. We know Express is playing well, but we are ready for them,” said Shein.
The Zanzibar Premier League champions started the campaign with a 1-1 draw against Le Messager Mgozi, before falling 1-0 to KCCA FC in the second group match. In the final match KMKM rose to the occasion and defeated Azam FC 3-2.
KMKM SC will look to Mohamed Said Mohamed, Salum Musa, Abdul Rahman Othman and Adam Ibrahim Abdallah who have so far netted their goals in the tournament.
On Wednesday Azam FC will face guest side Nyasa Big Bullets FC in the second semi final clash at the same venue. The final of the regional tournament will be played on August 14th.
South African Premier League side, Kaizer Cheifs FC have signed Tanzanian defensive midfielder Adolf Mtasingwa Bitegeko.
The gifted Bitegeko moves from Tanzania Premier League side Azam FC to Kaizer Chiefs FC on a two-year contract.
He becomes the first Tanzanian player to sign for Kaizer Chiefs after completing his move from Azam FC.
David Obua and Ivan Bukenya from Uganda, together with Anthony Akumu (Kenya) are some of the other players from East Africa that have before featured for Kaizer Chiefs FC.
Mtasingwa takes valuable experience yo Kaizer Chiefs FC, having spent six seasons in Scandinavia, playing in the Icelandic, Norwegian and Finnish leagues. He returned home in 2024 to help Azam FC finish third in the Tanzanian League last season.
The Tanzanian international has filled the role of vice-captain for his national team.
“We warmly welcome Adolf to the family and wish him success on his journey with the Glamour Boys,” said the Club.
Kenya Premier League reigning champions, Gor Mahia FC have made an early arrival in Kigali, Rwanda ahead of the regional CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026.
The three time CECAFA Kagame Cup winners arrived today in Kigali for few days of training.
Coach Charles Kwabian Akonnor’s team will also have the opportunity to test themselves against Rayon Sports FC in the annual Rayon Day celebrations on Saturday.
“I am very delighted that the CECAFA Kagame Cup comes at such a time because it will give the team good preparations ahead of the new season,” says coach Akonnor.
K’Ogalo as the team is known will have few days of training and acclimatize before kick starting their Group A campaign against Rwanda giants APR FC on July 24th at the Amahoro Stadium.
The Gor Mahia FC side has been busy in the transfer market and will have the opportunity to test some of their new recruits in the regional tournament. The team also has three Ghanaian players; George Amonoo, Ebenezer Boadi Adu-Kwau and Ebenezer Assifuah, Isaac Deng Kur (South Sudan) and Ariste Patrick Ekandjoum Essombe from Cameroon.
Gor Mahia FC, the 1980, 1981 and 1985 CECAFA Kagame Cup winners will face Vipers SC (Uganda) and Garde Republicaine FC (Djibouti) in their second and third group A matches respectively.
The top team from the three groups, together with the best second placed team in all the three groups will qualify for the semi final of the competition.
The winners will bag US$30,000, the runners up US$20,000, and the third placed team US$10,000.
The Serengeti Boys stopped Australia U-17 to complete their campaign in the 4-Nation China International Youth Football Tournament on a high.
Hamisi Chenga and Sadam Hussei each netted a brace, while Razaki Mbengelendi netted the other as Tanzania defeated Austarlai U-17s team 5-2 in match played at the Yinchaun Sports Centre Helanshan Stadium on Saturday.
The Serengeti Boys started the campaign with a 3-2 win against Nigeria 3-2, and followed it up with a 2-0 victory against hosts China.
Tanzania, the runner-ups at the CAF U-17 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) used the invitational tournament to prepare for the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026 to take place in December.
Elieneza Nsanganzelu, the Tanzania U-17 head coach said that he was happy with the way his team treated each match in the Invitational tournament.
“We have learnt some lessons and we shall keep working hard to improve ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup,” added Nsangazelu.
Sudan Premier League champions Al Hilal SC have announced a sponsorship package of US$100,000 towards the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026.
Rwanda will host the regional tournament from July 24th to August 7th in Kigali.
Al Hilal SC who will also participate in the tournament announced their sponsorship during a press conference held at the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) Accommodation Facility on Friday.
Fabrice Shema Ngoga, the FERWAFA President thanked Al Hilal for coming on board to support the CECAFA Kagame Cup. “We are hoping more partners come on board to support the tournament because we must always dream of getting bigger,” said Ngoga.
He also thanked Azam TV who are the broadcast partners of CECAFA for the continuous support.
The Al Hilal SC CEO, Yasir Hassan Ibrahim said they are happy to support CECAFA towards the regional tournament. “On behalf of the Board of Directors of Ali Hilal SC we are happy to partner and participate in the CECAFA Kagame Cup. We thank Rwanda for the good hospitality when we played in the Rwanda League last season,” added the Club CEO.
Jean Sseninde, the Interim Executive Director of CECAFA thanked the leadership of Al Hilal SC for the timely support of the competition. “It is only the beginning of good things to happen and we thank the management of the Club and the Rwanda Football leadership as well,” added Sseninde.
The CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026 will attract 12 teams with the champions walking away with US$30,000, the runner-up US$20,000 and third placed team US$10,000.
Rwanda President Paul Kagame who is also the Patron of CECAFA has contributed prize money towards the tournament since 2002.
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