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 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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