South Sudan Premier League side Jamus SC have shocked Cup holders Singida Black Stars FC in their opening Group B match in the on-going CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026.

The debut makers in the regional tournament scored in each half to silence the Tanzania Premier League side in a match played at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday.

Laurent Ramazani put Jamus SC ahead after 10 minutes with a well taken strike.

Ramazani made no mistake finishing past Singida goalkeeper Metacha Mnata. Exauce Sagesse Nzaou and Mathew Tegisis tried some shots at goal for the Cup holders, but failed to find goals.

After recess, the Singida Black Stars FC coach Papy Okitankoyi Kimoto made several changes, but to no avail.

Linda Mtange and Jonathan Sowah had attempts for Singida Black Stars FC, but missed the target.

Substitute Mario Taban Cherelino got his name on the score sheet with a second goal for Jamus SC in the 4^th minute of added time. He nodded in a well taken Sabastin Teclar cross.

Saber Ben Jabria, Jamus SC’s new coach said he was happy that his team started with a win in the tournament. “I am happy with the players and we hope to work harder in the next two group matches,” added the coach.

Six time winners Simba SC (Tanzania) and Mogadishu City Club FC from Somalia settled for a goalless draw in the second Group B match played at the same Stadium. The South Sudan side now lead Group B with 3 points, while Simba SC and Mogadishu City Club FC are tied with a point each, while Singida Black Stars are bottom.

The regional competition that kicked off on Friday continues on Sunday with two Group C matches to be played at the Amahoro Stadium.

South Sudan International Lazarus Peter George Laku has signed for Swedish giants IFK Göteborg.

The gifted youngster who was top scorer in the CECAFA U-15 tournament three years ago signed a five-year contract.

Laku, aged 18-year first captured International eyes after dominating the CECAFA youth tournaments and earning his senior Bright Star debut at just 16.

He transitioned from his pre-contract agreement into a long-term professional deal with the two-time UEFA Cup champions.

Laku started playing Football at School in Juba and later joined the Future Stars Football Academy that continued to nature his talent.

“Join us in wishing Lazarus Peter the absolute best of luck as he takes the Allsvenskan by storm,” said a communication by the the South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF).

Uganda Premier League reigning champions Vipers SC have made a winning start in the regional CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026.

Vipers SC humbled Djibouti’s Garde Republicaine FC 3-0 in the opening Group A match played at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Friday.

Former Uganda Cranes International Farouk Miya netted a brace in the first 38 minutes, while Abdu Karim Watambala added the third before the break.

Miya who signed for his former Club few days ago netted a 17^th minute free kick, and added the second after 38 minutes. The Djibouti team tried to push firward, but failed to break the Vipers SC defending line led by Kevin Dasylva Bady and Nicholas Mwere.

Watambala also got his name on the score sheet when he made mistake tapping in from close range to make it 3-0 in the third minute of added time to the interval.

After recess, the Garde Republicaine team changed their strategy and started creating some opportunities infront of the Vipers SC goalmouth.

Denis Jean Lavagne, the Vipers Sc coach said he was happy with the win. “It is good to start with a win in the tournament. Now we focus on the next match against Gor Mahia,” added the coach.

The Garde Republicaine coach Ahmed Robleh said they did not play well in the first half, but tried to improve later.

Rwanda giants APR FC will face Kenyan champions Gor Mahia FC in the second Group A match later today.

The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) has selected 19 referees who will officiate the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026.

Twelve teams will tussle it out in the regional tournament that takes place July 24^th to August 7^th in Kigali, Rwanda.

“We have selected match officials from different countries. They started preparing as a group in Kigali on Tuesday and hope to deliver a good tournament,” says Ali Ahmed, the CECAFA head of refereeing.

He explained that the region is training more and more referees taking into account that the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Nine referees and 10 assistant referees have been selected to officiate the Club regional competition that returns to Rwanda since 2019.

The tournament kicks off on Friday with Vipers SC (Uganda) facing Garde Republicaine FC (Djibouti), while APR FC (Rwanda) take on Gor Mahia FC (Kenya) in Group A matches.

Referees: Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda), Dickens Mimisa (Kenya), Saddam Houssein Mansour (Djibouti), Nasir Salum Siyah (Zanzibar), Ahmed Arajiga (Tanzania), Dick Okello (Uganda), Abdifatah Said Mire (Somalia), Malong Ring (South Sudan), Sabri Muhammad Fadi (Sudan)

Assistant Referees: Dieudonne Mutuyimana (Rwanda), Didier Ishimwe (Rwanda), Ally Ramadhani Rajabu, Hamdani Said Ally (Tanzania), Samuel Karia (Kenya), Ronald Katenya (Uganda), Omer Hamid (Sudan), Eleyeh Robleh (Djibouti), Gasim Muder Dhiya (South Sudan), Mahad Ali Mohamud (Somalia)