NEWS
South Sudan forfeit 2021 FIFA Arab Cup match after positive COVID-19 tests
The Bright Star of South Sudan have forfeited their match against Jordan in the FIFA Arab Cup after some members of their tesm tested positive to COVD-19 in Doha, Qatar.
South Sudan were meant to face Jordan in the third match of the preliminary round of the FIFA Arab Cup on Monday evening.
But FIFA today that South Sudan has forfeited the match and Jordan progress to the group stage of the tournament which will run November 30th to December 18th inn Qatar.
“Following the confirmation of COVID-19 cases among the South Sudan delegation, the FIFA Bureau for Men’s Senior Tournaments has declared the match scheduled to take place this evening against Jordan as part of the FIFA Arab Cup qualifiers a forfeit with a 3-0 win to Jordan. The decision is based on article 5.6 of the competition regulations (“force majeure”) and takes into consideration the need to protect the health of the players and everyone involved in the tournament,” said FIFA.
FIFA said protecting the health and safety of everyone involved in the FIFA Arab Cup remains a top priority with a comprehensive programme based on the WHO’s risk-based approach being implemented in coordination with the host country. The world football governing body said a total of 19 team members of South Sudan are now under isolation.
“FIFA and the local organisers deeply regret this unfortunate situation and wish the delegates of South Sudan a speedy recovery,” added FIFA.
Djibouti, the other CECAFA member in the competition will face Lebanon on June 23rd in the another preliminary round match in Doha. Sudan ejected Libya 1-0, while Oman stopped Somalia 2-1 in the first two matches so far played.
The final draw for the regional CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026 will be held on July 10th in Kigali, Rwanda.
Twelve teams will be drawn ahead of the tournament slated for July 24th to August 7th in the Rwandan capital.
The draw will take place at the Amahoro National Stadium Press Conference room at 10am (Rwanda time). Former Rwandan International and Legend Haruna Niyonzima who also played in several editions of the CECAFA Kagame Cup will assist with the draw.
Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Manager explained that the draw will see four teams each drawn in three groups.
“The top team in each group and the best second placed team from at of the three groups will qualify for the semi final stage,” explained Mossi.
He said the tournament will help teams in the Zone prepare better ahead of the 2026/2027 CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup which kick off in September.
CECAFA has also confirmed Singida Black Stars FC (Tanzania) as the 12th team in the competition. Last year Singida Black Stars FC defeated Al Hilal in the final, while APR FC finished third when the tournament was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The teams that will be drawn include; APR FC, Rayon Sport (Rwanda), Simba SC, Singida Black Stars FC (Tanzania), Vipers SC (Uganda), Al Hilal SC, El Merriekh SC (Sudan), Gor Mahia FC (Kenya), Mogadishu City FC (Somalia), Jamus SC ( South Sudan), FC Garde Républicaine (Djibouti), and KVZ FC (Zanzibar)
The Serengeti Boys of Tanzania have defeated Nigeria 3-2 in their opening match of the invitational 4-Nations China International Youth Football tournament in Yinchuan, China.
Issa Chole and Hamisi Chenga gave Tanzania a 2-0 half time lead at the Yinchaun Sports Centre Helanshan Stadium on Sunday.
In the second half, the Golden Eaglets came out with renewed purpose after the interval and were rewarded with a goal. But Tanzania restored their two-goal advantage when Kassim Juma produced a superb finish to make it 3-1.
Nigeria reduced the deficit again a few minutes later. In an earlier match hosts China defeated Australia 3-0.
Action continues on July 8th with Tanzania facing China, while Australia take on Nigeria. The tournament will end on July 11th as Tanzania face Australia and China take on Nigeria.
Tanzania are using the 4-Nations Invitational tournament to prepare ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026 to take place in December in Qatar.
Tanzania Premier League side, Simba SC will feature in the regional CECAFA Kagame Cup.
Rwanda will host the tournament slated for July 24th to August 8th in Kigali at the Amahoro National Stadium and the Kigali Pele Stadium.
Simba SC who have lifted the regional trophy a record six times return to the event since their last appearance in 2018 where they lost 2-1 to Azam FC.
Jean Sseninde, the Interim Executive Director confirmed that all top teams from the region will play in the tournament. “We are excited that this tournament will give the 12 teams a platform to prepare well ahead of the CAF competitions kicking off in September 2026,” added Sseninde.
She disclosed that the 12th team will be announced on July 6th, 2026. Hosts will be represented by top sides APR FC and Rayon Sports FC.
Three Member Associations Ethiopia, Eritrea and Burundi will not send teams to the CECAFA Kagame Cup. Last year Tanzanian side Singida Black Stars FC stopped Al Hilal SC in the final.
Eleven teams for CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026
APR FC, Rayon Sport (Rwanda), Simba SC (Tanzania), Vipers SC (Uganda), Al Hilal SC, El Merriekh SC (Sudan), Gor Mahia FC (Kenya), Mogadishu City FC (Somalia), Jamus SC ( South Sudan), FC Garde Républicaine (Djibouti), KVZ FC (Zanzibar)
Tanzania’s U-17 team will feature in a 4-Nation China International Youth Football Tournament 2026.
The Serengeti Boys, fresh from finishing second in the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) traveled to China on Thursday.
Hosts China, Australia, Nigeria and Tanzania will take part in the competition scheduled for the Yinchaun Sports Centre Helanshan Stadium.
Tanzania will open their campaign with a match against the Five-time World U-17 champions Nigeria on July 5th, and take on hosts China after three days.
“We are happy that the Serengeti Boys have got this opportunity to travel to China and play against different teams as they prepare ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in December,” Wallace Karia, the Tanzania Football Federation President told Xinhua.
The Chinese Football Association, Ningxia Hul Autonomous Region Administration of Sport and Yinchuan Municipal People’s Government are the hosts of the 4-Nation competition. Ningxia Football Association in conjunction with the Yinchuan Sports Bureau, and promoted by the China Football Industry Development Corporation are the organisers.
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