NEWS
CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup: What the coaches say after the group stage
The CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup group stage climaxed on July 24th with nine matches played in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. The coaches had this to say.
Kim Poulsen (Head Coach, Tanzania)
We are very happy to qualify for the semi finals because our preparations were close to zero since the Tanzania Premier League has just ended. We were also in a very tough group and we surely battled strongly to make it to the next stage.
I think Uganda also deserved to be in the semi final because they play well. We shall not underrate our opponents South Sudan who we face in the semi final. We shall have to approach the semi final match very differently.
Morley Byekwaso (Head Coach, Uganda)
I thank the boys because for the fighting spirit they have showed in the two matches. We created several scoring chances in this tournament, but did not use them well. But it’s a good experience for my young team as we still have two more classification matches.
We need to prepare our teams for the future and this tournament is good to try out players.
Julien Mette (Head Coach, Djibouti)
Ofcourse it is not good to see us failing to win or even score a single goal. But I am happy that the young players have got more exposure from the two matches we played against Kenya and South Sudan. It is from such matches that players get more experience and can be able to improve.
Simon James Yor (Head Coach, South Sudan)
Qualifying for the semi final is very good for my players because it means they have more competitive matches to play and this will help them to develop and become better players. We know the Tanzanian team that we face in the semi final is strong, but we shall prepare well for them.
Wubetu Abate Wubetu (head Coach, Ethiopia)
I am not happy with the way my players played the two group games where we picked draws. We need to improve as a team to take our chances and always shoot at goal instead of holding onto the ball and lack that final finish. But the tournament is good for testing and improving our young players.
Jimmy Ndayizeye (Head Coach, Burundi)
I am impressed with the concentration of my players and we hope they can keep focused for the game against Kenya. We have brought some of our young players from Europe to be tested in this tournament and am happy with the progress. Facing Kenya will not be easy because they have showed they are strong by winning their two games in the pool.
Jean Claude Loboko (Head Coach, DR Congo)
Although we failed to qualify for the semi finals, we are happy that the young players are getting the much needed experience from this tournament. Yes we have been good at creating many scoring chances, but finishing remains our problem.
Stanley Khayo Okumbi (Head Coach, Kenya)
Five goals and two wins makes us happy as the technical bench. But we need to tune out minds and prepare well ahead of the tough match against Burundi. Although we have won all our two games in the group stage, I believe we still have to improve on some aspects.
Yohannes Tesfay Giday (Assistant Coach, Eritrea)
Although we failed to win a single game in the group stage, this has been a good outing for the players. We shall try to field players who have not got a lot of playing time in the remaining two classification matches.
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.
The Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) have said they are prepared to host a very successful CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026.
Rwanda will host the regional tournament from July 24th to August 7th at the Amahoro Stadium and Kigali Pele Stadium.
Bonnie Mugabe, the FERWAFA General Secretary made it clear during a press conference held at the Amahoro Stadium Press Conference Hall, that they are prepared to give top class hosting capabilities to one of Africa’s biggest Club tournaments.
He made it clear that after successfully hosting the FIFA Series this year, FERWAFA are very confident that they will host one of the most successful Kagame Cup tournaments. “We are expecting many partners to come on board and support the tournament because we are looking at success,” added Mugabe.
He also explained that although some teams from Tunisia and Libya had promised to enter as guest sides, they had later withdrawn because of some challenges. “We are hoping to host the CECAFA Kagame Cup for the next three years in a row,” added Mugabe.
The CECAFA Interim Executive Director, Jean Sseninde also thanked FERWAFA for coming up to host the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026. “We plan to have many more teams participate in the tournament next year including guest sides,” explained Sseninde.
She also made it clear that US$60,000 will be up for garbs for the top three teams. The champions will pocket US$30,000, the runners-up US$20,000, and the third placed team US$10,000.
Rwanda President and CECAFA Patron, Paul Kagame has supported the tournament with cash prizes since 2002.
Three time winners APR FC have been drawn to open their CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026 campaign against Kenya’s Gor Mahia FC on July 24th at the Amahoro Stadium.
The official draw of the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026 was conducted on Friday at the Amahoro Stadium Press Conference Hall.
CECAFA Head of Marketing and Communication, Andrew Jackson Oryada conducted the draw, assited by former Rwanda captain and Legend Haruna Niyonzima.
Group A will have APR FC, Vipers SC (Uganda), Gor Mahia FC (Kenya) and Djibouti’s Garde Republicaine FC. Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC will also play their opening match on the first day July 24th against Garde Republicaine FC.
The six time champions Simba SC have been placed in Group B together with the 2025 winners Singinda Black Stars FC (Tanzania), Jamus SC (South Sudan) and Somalia’s Mogadishu City Club.
Sudan giants and last year’s runners-up Al Hilal SC have been placed in Group C alongside Rayon Sports FC (Rwanda), Tusker FC (Kenya) and KVZ SC (Zanzibar).
“I am very excited that the region will again hodl the CECAFA Kagame Cup which gives teams an opportunity to prepare well,” said Niyonzima, who also played for APR FC, Rayon Sports FC, Simba SC and Young Africans SC.
Group A: APR FC, Vipers SC, Gor Mahia FC, Garde Republicaine FC
Group B: Singida Black Simba SC, Jamus SC, Mogadishu City Club
Group C: Al Hilal SC, Rayon Sports FC, Tusker FC, KVZ SC
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