NEWS
CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup: Kenya Emerging Stars storm semis
The Kenya Emerging Stars have defeated South Sudan 2-0 to book a place in the semi final stage at the on-going regional CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Coach Stanley Khayo Okumbi’s side made sure they kept a 100% winning run after they also picked a 3-0 win against Djibouti in their opening match.
The two teams failed to find the goals in the early half with Kenya’s Henry Atola coming close after 14 minutes, but his effort went wide. South Sudan’s defender Joseph Stephen Datha also had his long shot saved by Kenya’s goalkeeper Brian Bwire Okoth after 36 minutes.
After the interval South Sudan’s Sebit David Omot had his shot blocked after 46 minutes. Paul Reagan Otieno later put Kenya ahead with a well taken low shot after 51 minutes. It was Otieno’s third goal in the tournament after he netted two against Djibouti.
Otieno was later unlucky to limp of injured, but substitute Benson Ochieng Oluoch made it 2-0 with a tap in from close range after 79 minutes. The South Sudan team tried to push forward but failed to take their chances.South Sudan will play their last Pool C match against Djibouti on July 24th.
“I am happy we get a revenge over South Sudan who beat us in a play-off game in the U-20 tournament last year. It was also good the boys played tight and did not concede any goal,” said Kenya’s coach Okumbi after the game.
South Sudan’s coach Simon James Yor said they played against a good team and must now go back to the drawing board to prepare for the game against Djibouti
Pool C table standing
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Kenya 2 2 0 0 5 0 5 6
S. Sudan 1 0 0 1 0 0 -2 0
Djibouti 1 0 0 1 0 0 -3 0
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
The World Football governing body FIFA has included Kenya and Tanzania to be part of the 2026 FIFA Series to take place March 23-31st in Rwanda.
On Monday FIFA announced the 48 teams to take part in the 2026 FIFA Series during the during international match windows in March and April.
The 2026 edition will feature 48 teams divided into 12 groups, including nine men’s groups and three women’s groups, with all six continental confederations represented.
For the first time Rwanda will host the Series and have been placed in Group A alongside Estonia, Grenada and Kenya. Group B will have another team from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), Tanzania together with Aruba, Liechtenstein and Maco of China.
Among the men’s teams taking part in the FIFA Series 2026, five teams, namely Australia, Cape Verde, Curacao, New Zealand and Uzbekistan, have qualified for this year’s FIFA World Cup.
The men’s groups will be hosted by Australia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Rwanda and Uzbekistan, with Rwanda hosting two groups.
The women’s groups will be held in Brazil, Cote d’Ivoire and Thailand.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President, Hussein Mohammed Rashid said he was very happy about the development because Harambee Stars will get the opportunity to play more International matches.
“It is exactly the kind of exposure and competition our national team needs as we continue to grow and raise our standards,” added the FKF President.
Group A: Estonia, Grenada, Kenya, Rwanda
Group B: Aruba, Liechtenstein, Macao of China, Tanzania
Teams from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Zone Djibouti and South Sudan will face off in the preliminary round of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
The draw for the preliminary round of the qualifiers was conducted on January 13th in Rabat, Morocco. Twelve lowly ranked teams as per the FIFA rankings were drawn.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will host the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027.
Eritrea who also return to the AFCON qualifiers after some years will take on Eswatini, while Ethiopia will battle Sao Tome & Principe. Burundi will also face Chad in the other match, and Somalia take on Mauritius.
According to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the preliminary matches for the qualifiers will be played during the next FIFA International Window, March 25-31 March 2026.
The six winners of the preliminary round ties over two legs will advance to join the other 42 CAF Member Associations in the group stage of the qualifiers.
Preliminary round fixture
Djibouti vs South Sudan
Chad vs Burundi
Somalia vs Mauritius
Seychelles vs Lesotho
Eritrea vs Eswatini
Sao Tome & Principe vs Ethiopia
Young Africans SC have edged Azam FC 5-4 in penalty shoot-outs to win the NMB Mapinduzi Cup 2026.
After a goalless final in normal time in a final played at the Gombani Stadium in Pemba, Zanzibar on January 13th, Young Africans SC proved the better side on spot kicks.
Young Africans SC dominated were a better side on the day, but Azam FC goalkeeper Aishi Manula made several saves including a late penalty by Pacome Zouzoua.
Azam FC, the five time winners also had Cheickna Diakite sent off for a second booking after 73 minutes.
The President of Zanzibar, Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi also graced the final.
To reach the final Azam FC eliminated Simba SC 1-0, while Young Africans SC ejected Singida Black Stars FC by the same margin.
NMB Bank were the sponsors of the the tournament which attracted 10 teams including guest side Uganda Revenue Authority FC.
The competition was organized by the government of Zanzibar and the Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF).
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