Uganda Cranes captain Khalid Aucho has beefed up the Singida Black Stars FC squad ahead of their semi final clash against KMC FC in the on-going CECAFA Kagame Cup 2025.

The two teams will clash on Saturday in one of the semi-final ties, while APR FC also battle Al Hilal SC (Sudan) with all matches to be played at the KMC Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Fresh from leading Uganda Cranes to two straight wins in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Aucho joined his new team few on Thursday. Aucho joined Singida Black Stars FC from Young Africans SC few weeks ago.

The other players who have been on national duty and joined the Singida Black Stars suad ahead of the semis include; Amas Obasogie, Marouf Tchakei and Hussein Mlasalanga.

Miguel Gamondi, the Singida Black Stars coach says having the international players join the team comes at the right time because they bring a lot to the team. “We welcome them and this helps us for the semi final and also as we prepare for the CAF Confederation Cup,” added Gamondi.

But besides Singida Black Stars FC, the other two teams in the semi finals APR FC (Rwanda) and Al Hilal SC (Sudan) have also beefed up their teams with arrival of national team players.

The 2024 runners-up APR FC have six players who have arrived including Ugandan Internationals Denis Omedi and Ronald Ssekiganda, while Al Hilal SC have eight players.

The CECAFA Kagame Cup 2025 is sponsored by Betika as the main sponsor, with Azam TV and Times FM as partners. The total prize money of US$60,000 is supported by the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame.

Sudan giants Al Hilal SC have booked a place in the semi-final at the on-going CECAFA Kagame Cup 2025.

Al Hilal made it to the knock out stage after defeating South Sudan’s Kator 3-1 in a Group C match played on Wednesday at the KMC Stadium in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.

Cloe Kindness gave the Sudan Premier League champions the lead after 11 minutes beating the Kator FC goalkeeper Tomy Kyanmera.

But after only a minute Kator FC were quick to level matters through Goddian Dicson.

Al Hilal continued to dominate the match and added two more goals through Sunday Damilare and Akire Temple before the 20 minute mark.

At the Gen. Isamuhyo Stadium Mogadishu City Club SC also registered a 2-1 win against Alahly Wad SC Madani in another Group C match.

Abdelaziz Koda Kafi Tia put the Sudan Premier League side ahead after 15 minutes, but Iiyas Akram Khamis made sure he leveled matters for the Somalian champions after 36 minutes. Isse Adam Yusuf made sure Mogadishu Cith Club snatched all three points with a late winning goal four minutes into added time.

The two teams Al Hilal and Mogadishu City Club finished with 5 points apiece, but the Sudan side came top because of a better goal aggregate.

Al Hilal will now face Rwanda Premier League APR FC in the first semi final clash on Saturday, while Singida Black Stars FC face KMC FC in the second semi-final in a clash of Tanzania Premier League sides.

It will be a repeat of last year’s semi final clash between Al Hilal and APR FC. Last year the encounter ended goalless, but the Rwanda giants went on to win 5-4 on penalties.

The 2025 CECAFA Kagame Cup sponsored by Betika will see the top three sides receive medals and cash prizes. The cash prize supported by the Rwanda President, Paul Kagame will see the winner bag US$30,000, the runner-up US$20,000 and the third placed team US$10,000.

The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) on Wednesday witnessed a historic transition of leadership with Alexandre Muyenge taking over as Acting President.

Outgoing Acting President Augustino Maduot Parek officially handed over the presidency to Muyenge, also President of the Burundi Football Federation.

The ceremony took place at the CECAFA headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, in the presence of Executive Director, Auka Gecheo, CECAFA Executive Committee Member Doris Petra and CECAFA a few staff.

Maduot Parek, who has steered the regional body through a critical phase of competitions and reforms, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve and called for continued unity among Member Associations.

He highlighted the progress made in pursuit of the building CECAFA headquarters among other efforts, and reviving the CECAFA Kagame Cup and youth competitions.

Incoming Acting President Muyenge pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessor, with a focus on strengthening youth development, women’s football, and enhancing the visibility of CECAFA competitions across the continent.

The smooth handover marks a new chapter for CECAFA as it continues to play a pivotal role in nurturing football talent and fostering regional integration through the game.

Muyenge will serve as Acting CECAFA President until the 2026 Elective General Assembly.

The Harambee Stars of Kenya have humbled Seychelles 5-0 in a Group F match of the on-going FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

After falling 3-1 to The Gambia few days ago in Nairobi, the Harambee Stars team leg by skipper Michael Olunga came all out to wallop Seychelles at the Kasarani Stadium on Tuesday.

Rambok Ryan Wesley Ogam gave the hosts the lead after 7 minutes, and Collins Sichenie made it 2-0 after 35 minutes.

The Seychelles team tried to fight back, but failed to beat the Harambe Stars defending line. Ogam netted his second goal of the day after 38 minutes, before Olunga converted a penalty five minutes onto added time.

After recess Olunga nodded in past Seychelles goalkeeper Romeo Robertson Padayachy to make it 5-0 after 67 minutes.

In Group C Amavubi Stars picked a 1-0 win away to Zimbabwe in a match played at the Orlando Stadium in the township of Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa. Gilbert Mugisha netted the lone goal after 40 minutes. Rwanda  moved to third place with 11 points behind South Africa and Benin.

Two other teams from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Zone that were in action early in the day Ethiopia and Tanzania suffered defeats.

A 10-man Niger team defeated Tanzania 1-0 in a Group E match played at the New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar. Daniel Sosah scored after 58 minutes, before Boureima Kalakore was sent-off.

Ethiopia suffered a 2-0 away defeat to Sierra Leone in a Group A match. Momoh Kamara and Alhassan Koroma scored the goals for Sierra Leone.

Later in Group B ties Sudan suffered a 1-0 defeat to Togo, while South Sudan held Mauritania to a goalless. Burundi also lost 2-0 away to The Gambia in a Group F tie.