NEWS
CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup: Kenya Emerging Stars face South Sudan in play-off
Kenya’s Emerging Stars will this afternoon be in action against South Sudan in the 3/4th play-off at the ongoing CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
The playoff match was initially meant to take place tomorrow, but a change was made by CECAFA and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the tournament.
Simon James Yor, South Sudan’s head coach told Cecafaonline.com that this is another chance to expose his players to football at a competitive level. “We are happy to get this far in the tournament and want to revenge against Kenya who beat us in the group stage,” added Yor.
The Kenya Emerging Stars’ coach Stanley Khayo Okumbi said he will reotate his team for this match against South Sudan. “Despite not getting to the final, I am happy with the progress of the players,” added Okumbi. In the group stage Kenya defeated South Sudan 2-0.
Meanwhile, hosts Ethiopia finished in 7th place after defeating guest side DR Congo 2-1 in a classification match played on Wednesday. Uganda also defeated Eritrea 2-1 to finish 5th.
Asrat Tonjo Yoylo and Chernet Gusa Beshal netted for Ethiopia, while Kimvuidi Kiekie Karim scored for the DR Congo team. In the second game Najib Iga and Steven Mukwala gave Uganda a 2-0 lead before Yonathan Goytom pulled one back with few minutes to full time.
The final of the CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup between Tanzania and Burundi will be played on July 30th.
Africa’s top male referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been selected to officiate the the Union of European Football Associations – UEFA Super Cup final in August, 2026.
“We’re pleased to share that Somali referee Omar Artan will officiate the highly anticipated match between PSG and Aston Villa in Salzburg,” said the statement from UEFA.
The development comes after the Somali referee was selected to officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026, but was denied entry into US early this week and returned back home.
The European soccer body UEFA said Artan will referee the math on August 12th game between the Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, the Europa League winner. The game will be in Salzburg, Austria.
The European Soccer body said the decision to appoint Artan to officiate the UEFA Super Cup match has been made in the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently signed between UEFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to encourage cooperation in many areas, including refereeing. “UEFA and CAF are united by a shared commitment to developing football at all levels and promoting the core values of unity, equality and non-discrimination,” said UEFA on their website.
On Wednesday Artan received a hero’s welcome back in Mogadishu, and also met the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
The Harambee Stars of Kenya have settled for a 1-1 draw against Lesotho in an International friendly match played on Thursday in Pretoria, South Africa.
Frank Odhiambo gave Kenya the lead after 14 minutes at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
The two teams continued to create some decent scoring opportunities, but failed to convert them.
After recess the Lesotho team re-organised themselves and leveled matters through Thabo Makhele. The match ended 1-1 and the two teams will face-off again on June 7th at the same Stadium.
Ethiopia will also be in action against Malawi on June 6th at the Addis Ababa Stadium, and the second match to be played after three days.
The other teams from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda had their scheduled matches in Morocco cancelled due to sanitary and public health considerations.
The teams are using the FIFA Window to play International friendly matches as they prepare ahead of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifiers.
Gor Mahia FC have been crowned 2025/2026 FKF Premier League champions.
Handled by coach Charles Akonnor, the Gor Mahia side lost their last match 1-0 to Nairobi United at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.
The defeat did not spoil the party as the giants lifted their 22nd League title and were crowned at the same Stadium. “We are vey happy that after a tough season we emerged champions. I thank the team and management for the efforts,” added coach Akonnor.
Gor Mahia FC completed the League with 69 points from 34 matches played, while second placed AFC Leopards collected 64 points, and Kenya Police FC in third place with 55 points.
K’Ogalo will receive KSh15 million (approximately $116,000) in prize money and return to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League next season.
The Sudan Football Association (SFA) has organized two Football development workshops in the capital Khartoum.
The development comes after over two years of non activity because of the civil war that started in 2023.
Besides the referees and assessors workshop taking place, the Elite League is also on-going.
Ali Ahmed, the Head of Referees at the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) is conducting the two week workshop for referees and assessors at the Sudan Football Association (SFA) Technical Centre.
“We are very happy to have these workshops back in Sudan because Football contributes a big role in peace and integration here. CECAFA is also proud to support Sudan in Football development,” added Ahmed.
Osama Atta Elmanan Hassan, the SFA Vice President says they are glad to have Football back to Khartoum and also organize Football development workshops.
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