CECAFA
Cecafa U-15 Challenge Cup: Rwanda beat Ethiopia to go top of Group B
Rwanda’s Junior Wasps have gone top of Group B in the on-going Cecafa U-15 Challenge Cup after their 3-0 win over Ethiopia in a game played at the Asmara National Stadium on Wednesday.
Coach Solomon Meka’s Ethiopia started with a defensive approach, but could not contain the attacking Rwanda team.
After 10 minutes Ethiopia’s Tesfaye Tamiray Korme had a chance to score but shot wide. Moments later Siradji Iradukunda had his attempt miss the target before he made amends in the 36th minute to give Rwanda a 1-0 lead.
In a space of two minutes Pacifique Iradukunda made it 2-0 for Rwanda when he out paced the Ethiopian defenders. Rwanda’s Skipper Kenedy Hoziyana increased the lead on 39 minutes as the game headed for recess.
In the second half the Ethiopian team changed their style of play to defending deep in their half.
Usman Hamza Habtamu had a chance for the Ethiopian team but was over powered in the box by a defender who cleared out of danger.
The win takes Rwanda top of Group B with six points and a better goal difference than Uganda who have the same points. The two top teams with six points each will clash on Friday in what promises to be a thriller. Rwanda’s coach Yves Rwasamanzi praised his players for the good display after the game. “We are happy to go top of the group, but we must prepare for the game against Uganda next,” he added.
Meka, the Ethiopian coach made it clear this is good exposure for his young team. “They are surely learning from such games,” he added.
The Cecafa U-15 Challenge Cup supported by FIFA will climax on August 30th.
Group B table standings
P W D L GF GA A Pts
Rwanda 2 2 0 0 6 0 6 6
Uganda 2 2 0 0 5 0 5 6
Tanzania 3 1 0 1 6 2 -4 3
Ethiopia 3 0 1 2 1 7 -6 1
S.Sudan 3 0 1 2 1 10 -9 1
Kenya’s Harambee Starlets have arrived in Ivory Coast ahead of two International friendly matches against Benin and the hosts.
Under head coach Beldine Odemba, the Harambee Starlets will face Benin on Monday, and conclude with a match against Ivory Coast on March 4th at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara d’Ebimpé.
The two matches are will be used as build-ups ahead of the 2026 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) expected to take place in Morocco March 17th to April 3rd.
“We are glad that the team will play two build-up matches in Ivory Coast and later have time to camp in France,” said coach Odemba.
Ivory Coast are currently ranked 72nd in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings, while Benin sit at 139. Kenya is currently placed 133rd.
Kenya and Tanzania are the two teams that qualified for the 2026 WAFCON. The Harambee Starlets are pooled in Group A alongside Morocco, Senegal and Algeria.
Final squad
Goalkeepers: Lilian Awuor, Annedy Kundu, Juliet Adhiambo
Defenders: Ruth Ingosi, Dorcas Shikobe, Enez Mango, Vivian Nasaka, Elizabeth Ochaka, Diana Ochol, Lorine Ilavonga, Elizabeth Muteshi
Midfielders: Lydia Akoth, Vidah Akeyo, Lorna Nyarinda, Fasila Adhiambo, Martha Amunyolet, Mwanalima Adam, Shaline Nambengele
Forwards: Violet Nanjala, Elizabeth Wambui, Jentrix Shikangwa, Shalyne Opisa, Airin Madalina, Valerie Nekesa, Eglay Mukhwana
The new President of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam has officially assumed office at the CECAFA headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
He was warmly received by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President, Hussein Mohamed.
Flanked by CECAFA Interim Executive Director Jean Sseninde and CECAFA Vice President Ali Abdi, Andermariam outlined his bold vision for a more revitalized and impactful CECAFA.
The new President said his mission centers on strengthening institutional structures, enhancing strategic partnerships – particularly with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports – and driving sustainable growth across the region.
Having earlier in the day met Ministry of Youth and Sports CS Elijah Mwangi, he revealed established and ongoing engagements between CECAFA and the Ministry aimed at establishing a permanent CECAFA Headquarters in Nairobi. This is deemed at enhancing CECAFA stability and regional influence.
He emphasized the need for more capacitated human resources to elevate the game, especially as the region—Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania – prepares to co-host Africa’s biggest football tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations.
In his remarks, Hussein Mohamed welcomed the new President, pledging full support and collaboration to ensure CECAFA achieves its strategic objectives.
The event was attended by the CECAFA Vice-President and members of the CECAFA Secretariat, and former FKF Vice President Doris Petra. The new CECAFA President takes over from Alexandre Muyenge who served as the Acting President since late last year.
The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) will have seven tournaments in the 2026 season.
The announcement was made during the CECAFA Elective General Assembly which took place on February 7th in Djibouti.
“We are glad that the competitions committee came up with a calendar and the Executive Committee passed it, and later it was presented to the Assembly,” said the newly elected CECAFA President Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam.
According to the calendar, the season will kick off with the CECAFA U-17 Girls Championship from May 30 to June 14th, 2026.
Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Manager also explained that after failing to host the inaugural CECAFA Beach Soccer Championship last year, the regional body is planning to have the tournament take place July 1-5th this year. “It is long overdue for the Zone to have a Beach Soccer tournament because other Zones like the COSAFA already have one,” added Mossi.
The Zone will also organize the club competition, the CECAFA Kagame Cup from July 18 to August 9th. The competition is normally used to prepare teams in the pre-season ahead of the start of the Confederation of Africa Football Associations (CAF) competitions.
The Zone will also organize the CAF Women’s Champions League for CECAFA qualifiers, African Schools Football Championship CECAFA qualifiers, CAF U-17 African Cup of Nations CECAFA qualifiers and CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations CECAFA qualifiers.
CECAFA 2026 competitions
# CECAFA U-17 Girls Championship (May 14-June 14th)
# CECAFA Beach Soccer Championship (July 1-5)
# CECAFA Kagame Cup (July 18 – August 9th)
# CAF Women’s Champions League – CECAFA Qualifiers
(August 22 – September 6th)
# CAF African Schools Football Championship CECAFA Qualifiers
(August 12-15th)
# U-17 AFCON – CECAFA Qualifiers (October 14-19th)
# U-20 AFCON – CECAFA Qualifiers
(September 19 – October 10th)
The media accreditation application window for media interested in covering the CECAFA Elective General Assembly has opened today and will run till February 2nd, 2026.
The CECAFA Elective General Assembly will take place on Saturday, 7th February 2026 in Djibouti.
Media interested in covering the Assembly will need to process their visas to Djibouti.
Successful applicants will be notified and provided with further information in due course.
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Further Enquiries:
CECAFA Communications
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