NEWS
It’s D-Day for CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup semi finals in Ethiopia
After battling through the group stages four teams will this afternoon be all out to prove a point at the semi final stage of the CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup.
The first game will see Tanzania face surprise package South Sudan, and later Burundi will take on Kenya’s Emerging Stars at the Bahir Dar Stadium, Ethiopia.
Kim Poulsen, the Tanzania coach has made it clear that they will not underrate the South Sudan team because they are a physical team that is also good at passing the ball. “We must approach this semi final match with a lot of caution and also take our chances,” added Poulsen.
The Tanzanian team will however miss the suspended first choice goalkeeper Boniface Mnata Metacha who accumulated two yellow cards in their group games where they beat DR Congo 1-0 and drew 1-1 with Uganda.
For the South Sudan team that scored late goals to beat Djibouti 2-0 in their last group game to make it to the knock out stage, they will hope that Dominic Angelo Kornello and Aluk Akeck Mabior find their scoring touch again.
South Sudan’s head coach Simon James Yor made it clear that although the Tanzanian team is good on the ball, his team will use a strategy which will tame their opponents. “We also need to be sharp at goal because this is a knock out stage,” added the coach.
The second semi final match pitting the highest scoring teams in the tournament promises to be a thriller. Paul Reagan Otieno and Benson Ochieng Oluoch will be determined to continue with their scoring form for the Kenyan team that has also not conceded a goal yet. “We have had enough time to rest and also prepare for the semi final. I have watched Burundi play and they are not an easy side,” said Kenya’s coach Stanley Khayo Okumbi.
Kenya started their campaign with a 3-0 win against Djibouti, before stopping South Sudan 2-0. The Burundi team humbled Eritrea 3-0 and settled for a 1-1 draw against hosts Ethiopia.
Burundi’s coach Jimmy Ndayizeye made it clear that playing at the semi final stage is good for his young players. “I am happy that we are at the semi final stage. We are going to approach this game with a lot of caution to defend well and also try to take our chance at goal,” added Ndayizeye.
Tomorrow action will shift to the classification matches with Ethiopia facing DR Congo to determine which team will be ranked seventh and eighth, while Eritrea battle Uganda in a fifth and sixth ranking match. The tournament will come to climax on July 30th.
The head coach of South Sudan, Nicolas Dupuis has said his team is very determined to qualify for the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025 qualifiers.
Dupuis guided the Bright Star of South Sudan past Kenya in the first round of the qualifiers on a 3-1 goal aggregate to qualify for the second round.
“We are very determined and will prepare for the next round of the qualifiers because I believe we have a good team. Our major target is to qualify for CHAN 2025 because this will mean a lot for us and South Sudan as a country,” said Dupuis.
After winning the first leg 2-0, South Sudan held on to a 1-1 draw against Kenya in the return leg played at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole in Kampala.
Austine Odhiambo Otieno gave Kenya the lead after 10 minutes, but Ebo Malish Ezibon Wajo leveled matters for South Sudan after 43 minutes. The two teams failed to find more goals in the second half. The draw saw South Sudan qualify on a 3-1 goal aggregate.
Kenya opted to play their match in Uganda because they do not have have a Stadium approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) to host International matches.
Kenya has already secured qualification since they will be one of the hosts of the CHAN 2025 tournament together with Uganda and Tanzania when the tournament takes place in February.
South Sudan will not face Rwanda in the final phase of the qualifiers in December this year, while Burundi take on Uganda, and Ethiopia battle Sudan.
Rwanda ejected Djibouti 3-1 on aggregate in the first round, while Sudan saw-off Tanzania in penalties after a 1-1 draw after two rounds. Burundi and Ethiopia walked over Somalia and Eritrea respectively.
The CHAN tournament is played between only players featuring in the local League in each of the respective CAF Member countries.
The Amavubi of Rwanda are through to the last phase of the TotalEnergies Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025 qualifiers.
After losing the first leg 1-0 to Djibouti few days ago, Rwanda returned a changed side to defeat the same side 3-1 in the return leg played at the Amahoro Stadium on Thursday in Kigali.
Cheered on by the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, the Amavubi took an early lead through Olivier Dushimimana after 10 minutes.
The striker made no mistake when he capitalized on Kevin Muhire’s cross to place the ball past Djibouti’s goalkeeper Sulait Luyima. Mahad Abdi had his shot blocked later after 19 minutes by Rwanda’s goalkeeper.
Dushimimana was at it again netting his second goal of the day after 24 minutes. After recess, the Djibouti team tried to settle down and close gaps on the pitch. But Arsene Tuyisenge made it 3-0 for the hosts at the stroke of full time.
Frank Spittler, the Rwanda coach said his players had responded well after losing the first leg. “I am happy about the way the players expressed themselves today and we need to keep working hard because there is another stage of the qualifiers,” added Spittler.
Rwanda who qualified on a 3-1 goal aggregate will now wait to gave the winner between Kenya and South Sudan in the final phase of the qualifiers.
On Sunday Tanzania will host Sudan in Dar es Salaam, while Kenya face South Sudan in Nairobi. Sudan stopped Tanzania 1-0, while South Sudan brushed aside Kenya 2-0 in the first leg.
The CECAFA Zone will be represented by four teams when the CHAN 2025 tournament takes place in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania in February 2025.
Six teams from the CECAFA Zone were on Sunday engaged in the first preliminary round of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025 qualifiers.
Djibouti who hosted the first leg at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali shocked Rwanda 1-0 with the lone goal scored by Gabriel Ddadzie.
The Djibouti team hosted the first leg away from home because they do not have a Stadium approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA.
In Juba, hosts South Sudan defeated Kenya 2-0 in a match played at the Juba National Stadium. After a goalless first half, the South Sudan intensified their search for goals and scored through Ezibon Malish five minutes after restart, and Yohanna Paulino after 68 minutes.
“We are very happy to win the first leg. Now we must prepare better for the return leg to be played in Kampala, “ said South Sudan’s Coach Nicolas Dupius.
Sudan who hosted Tanzania at the National Stadium in Nouakchott, Mauritania also picked a slim 1-0 victory. Andel Raman scored the goal after 23 minutes. Eritrea and Ethiopia are also set to clash on October 31st in a match to be played in Juba, South Sudan.
The return legs will be played between November 1-3, 2024, while second round matches take centre stage between December 20-22 for the first round, and the return legs December 25-27, 2024.
The CHAN 2025 will be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania between February 1-28th, 2025.
The President of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), Wallace Karia has made it clear that Dr. Patrice Motsepe deserves to be re-elected as President of the African Football body, CAF.
Karia, also President of the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) says that he was one of the Presidents who convinced Motsepe to seek-re-election.
“We have convinced Motsepe to stand again for re-election because he deserves it basing on his contribution towards Football development in Africa and CECAFA,” says Karia.
On Friday CAF confirmed that Dr. Motsepe will contest the CAF Presidential Elections next year. “Following requests from numerous CAF Member Association Presidents, Zonal Union Presidents and key stakeholders, the CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe has finally agreed to stand as a candidate at the CAF Presidential Elections scheduled for March 2025,” said the communication.
Dr. Motsepe assumed the CAF presidency on 12th, March 2021, succeeding Ahmad Ahmad of Madagascar. He has been widely acknowledged for his positive influence on CAF’s governance and reputation.
His administration has emphasised transparency, accountability, and robust governance reforms. During his time as President of CAF, the CAF Women’s Champions League has also been introduced, and there have also been increases in cash prizes across all tournaments.
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