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.
Two member Associations of Rwanda and Tanzania will host some of the six CECAFA competitions planned for the 2026 season.
Jean Sseninde, the CECAFA Interim Executive Director on Tuesday announced the Member Associations that won hosting rights for the various tournaments.
Tanzania will host the season opening CECAFA U-17 Girls Championship May 30th to June 14th, 2026. Tanzania will also host the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 – CECAFA qualifiers to run August 22nd to September 6th.
Rwanda who last hosted a CECAFA competition five years ago will start by hosting the clubs tournament, the CECAFA Kagame Cup from July 18th to August 9th. The club tournament will also help teams in the Zone prepare ahead of the 2026/2027 CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup.
The CAF African Schools Football Championship – CECAFA qualifiers, CAF Women’s Champions League – CECAFA qualifiers, and the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) – CECAFA qualifiers will all be hosted by Rwanda.
“We are very excited and thank all the different Member Associations who applied to host the different CECAFA competitions,” says Sseninde.
CECAFA are also engaging sponsors and partners to be able to secure funds to be able to include the CECAFA Beach Soccer Championship and the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in the 2026 calendar.
CECAFA 2026 competitions
1 CECAFA U-17 Girls Championship May 30 – June 14
2 CECAFA Kagame Cup July 18 – August 9
3 CAF African Schools Football Championship – CECAFA Qualifiers July 22 – 25
4 AF Women’s Champions League – CECAFA Qualifiers August 22 – September 6
5 U-20 AFCON – CECAFA Qualifiers September 12 – 27
6 U-17 AFCON – CECAFA Qualifiers October 10-25
Not included yet
CECAFA Beach Soccer Championship July
CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup
Sudan Premier League giants Al Hilal SC have traveled to Morocco ahead of their first leg tie against RS Berkane in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions league.
Coach Laurentiu Reghecampf’s team traveled on Thursday ahead of the match at the Municipal Stadium in Berkane on March 14th.
“We are determined to try and get a good result I this first leg and it explains why we have also made an early trip,” says the Al Hilal coach.
Although Reghecampf considers it a very tough and tactical encounter, he is optimistic they have what it takes to register good results in the two legs. “We need to be at our best to defend and attack as a team,” he added.
To reach the quarter final stage Al Hilal SC topped Group C with 11 points after registering three wins, two draws and one defeat. RS Berkane came second in Group A with 10 points behind reigning champions Pyramids.
Al Hilal SC will host RS Berkane in the return leg on March 22nd at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda.
Al Hilal SC are currently to pf the table in the Rwanda Premier League. They opted to play in the Rwanda Premier League because of the political instability back in Sudan.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has cleared the Dire Dawa Stadium to host the return leg of the preliminary round of the AFCON 2027 qualifier between Ethiopia and São Tomé and Príncipe.
Bahiru Tilahun, the Secretary General of the Ethiopia Football Federation (EFF) says the match will be played on March 31st.
“The qualifier second leg against São Tomé and Príncipe will be played at Dire Dawa Stadium on March 31, 2026 after a successful CAF inspection,” said Tilahun.
Eritrea who also return to the AFCON qualifiers after some years will take on Eswatini, while Burundi face Chad, Somalia battle Mauritius, and South Sudan tussle it out against Djibouti.
The six winners of the preliminary round ties over two legs will advance to join the other 42 CAF Member Associations in the group stage of the qualifiers.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will host the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027.
Preliminary round fixture
Djibouti vs South Sudan
Chad vs Burundi
Somalia vs Mauritius
Seychelles vs Lesotho
Eritrea vs Eswatini
Sao Tome & Principe vs Ethiopia
The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam congratulated Gianni Infantino upon making 10 years as President of FIFA.
In his message Andemariam, also President of the Eritrea National Football Federation (ENFF) credited Infantino for playing a pivotal role in developing Football further since he became President 10 years ago.
“On the occasion of your 10th anniversary as President of FIFA, please accept my heartfelt congratulations and deepest appreciation for a decade of visionary leadership and transformative progress,” said Andemariam.
The CECAFA President said over the past ten years, Infantino’s unwavering commitment to global football development has left an indelible mark on the beautiful game. “Under your stewardship, FIFA has expanded its reach, modernized its governance, and championed initiatives that have empowered football communities across all continents-from growing the Women’s World Cup to advancing youth development and infrastructure in emerging football nations,” he added.
While thanking Infantino for his passionate service to the world’s most beloved sport, Andermariam also reminded the FIFA President that his leadership has inspired a new era for football-one defined by unity, opportunity, and boundless potential.
Infantino was first elected to the FIFA presidency on February 26th, 2016. He was re-elected on June 5th, 2019 and again on March 16th, 2023.
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