NEWS
Karia becomes third Tanzanian to be elected on CAF Executive Committee
The President of the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF), Wallace Karia became the third Tanzanian to be elected to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee.
Karia was unopposed to represent the CECAFA Zone during the elective CAF General Assembly that took place at the Marriot Mena House Hotel in Cairo, Egypt on Wednesday.
Other Tanzanians Said El Maamry and Leodegar Tenga have served on the CAF Executive Committee before. Duirng the same Assembly Dr. Patrice Motsepe was re-elected unopposed to serve a second teram as CAF President.
“I am very happy that I have been elected to serve on the CAF Executive Committe. I thank members of CECAFA for showing solidarity and decided that I go and represent them at CAF,” said a happy Karia.
He pointed out that one of his targets will be to ensure that teams in the CECAFA Zone become more competitive and can qualify for major events and event win them. “We have been improving on the curve, but we can still do better and as a leader I am going to further push for this to happen,” he added.
Hussein Mohammed, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President told Cecafaonline.com that it was a good move to have Karia represent CECAFA at the CAF Exco. “We are happy that Karia will be representing our Zone at CAF and pushing interests for our Zone,” he added.
The South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) President Augustino Maduot Parek also praised Karia for the good work and unity he has brought in the Zone which was eventually good that he is elected to represent a CAF as an EXCO member. “We are happy about this development and wish him well,” added Parek who is expected to take over as CECAFA President.
“We as Burundi are very happy that Karia has been elected as a member of the CAF Exco. We wish him success,” said the Burundi Football Federation President, Alexandre Muyenge.
Sudan Football Association (SFA) President, Mutasim Jaafar Sarkhatm remains as a CAF Exco member for the next two years, while Isayas Jira Bosho, President of the Ethiopia Football Federation is a co-opted member.
Former African and Barcelona star and current President of the Cameroon Football body, Samuel Eto’o Fils also secured a seat unopposed to represent the UNIFFAC Zone. Ghana’s Kurt Okraku, Mustapha Raji (Liberia) and Algeria’s Sudhi Walid were also unopposed.
Feizal Sidat of Mozambique and Samir Sobha from Mauritius were also elected from the COSAFA Zone to join the CAF Exco.
The President of the Council of East and Central African Football Associations (CECAFA) attended a historic peace match at the Mogadishu Stadium on Tuesday.
In a sign of solidarity and support, President Augustino Parek Maduot watched the match featuring some African Legends and a selected team. Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre also garced the ceremony.
The African football legends who featured in the match watched by a big crowd included Samuel Eto’o (now Cameroon Football President and CAF Executive Member), Jay-Jay Okocha, and Emmanuel Adebayor. President of the Djibouti Football Federation and FIFA Council Member Suleiman Waberi also featured in the match.
“I am happy to be in Somalia because we must always support our members in the Zone. It is always good to be united as a Football family,” said the CECAFA President Maduot.
Somalia’s Prime Minister said the event marks a significant milestone in their efforts to restore the image and strength of Somali sports. “The presence of international stars and sports leaders shows that global confidence in Somalia is returning,” added Barre.
The match also served as an opportunity to assess Somalia’s readiness to host international fixtures in standard stadiums, amid renewed efforts to upgrade sports infrastructure across the country.
The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has announced that the national senior side, Taifa Stars will face South Africa in an international friendly match on June 6th, 2025.
Wilfred Kidao, the TFF General Secretray told Cecafaonline on Tuesday that the match will be played away in South Africa during the FIFA window for International friendly matches.
He also disclosed that Tanzania’s team for the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) will also play two matches away to Morocco’s CHAN team on June 7th and 10th respectively.
Meanwhile, Harambee Stars of Kenya will also face Chad in two international friendly matches to be played in Morocco June 7th and 10th respectively.
All the other teams in the CECAFA Zone Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi will also be engaged with International friendly matches.
Uganda has been drawn to face France, Chile and Canada in the FIFA U-17 World Cup slated for November 3-27th, 2025 in Qatar.
In the draw conducted in Qatar on Sunday evening coach Brian Ssenyondo’s team will open their compaign against Canada on November 5th at the Al Rayyan.
The CECAFA flag bearers will return to the pitch on November 8th to take on Chile, and conclude the group matches against France three days later.
Uganda qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup after stopping The Gambia in the play-off during the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Egypt last month.
This edition will be the opening of the annual cycle adopted by FIFA for the U-17 World Cup and the first to be played in the 48-team format instead of the previous biennial 24-team tournaments.
The other African teams that will battle at the competition include; South Africa, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt, Cote d’Ivoire, Zambia, Burkina Faso and Mali.
Germany are the defending champions, having won their first title in 2023.
Simba SC have bagged $1 million after settling for second place in the 2024/2025 Total Energies CAF Confederation Cup.
After losing the first leg 2-0 away to Morocco’s RS Berkane, the Tanzania Premier League side put up a gallant show to draw 1-1 in the return leg played at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar on Sunday to loose 3-1 on aggregate.
Simba SC started on a high attacking in numbers and dominating play before taking the lead after 17 minutes. A well delivered assist by Elie Mpanzu was enough for Joshua Mutale to score and send the fans wild.
The Tanzanian side continued to press the Moroccan side with Ugandan International Steven Mukwala and right full back Shomari Kapombe keeping their defenders busy.
After recess Simba SC’s Yusuph Kagoma was sent off after 55 minutes after picking a second yellow card. The card gave the visitors as advantage. But Simba SC thought they had scored a second goal through Mukwala, but the VAR ruled it offside.
With the clock ticking away Soumaila Sidibe leveled matters for RS Berkane with a low drive to beat Simba SC goalkeeper Moussa Camara.
It was all celebration for the Moroccan side after the final whistle, while Simba SC will also smile away with a $1 million cash prize, while the winners take $2 million.
Another Tanzanian Premier League side Young Africans SC suffered defeat to USM Alger in the final of the 2022/2023 TotalEnergies CAf Confederations Cup.
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